Caitlin Clark Continues to Break Ratings Records Despite Going Head-to-Head with NFL

If anyone still doubted the legitimacy of “the Caitlin Clark effect,” they likely have nothing to say today.

The Indiana Fever rookie has been breaking records for merchandise sales, television ratings and attendance numbers in addition to her record-breaking performances on the court, and now there’s even more vindication for her massive drawing power after the ratings for Friday’s Ion broadcast of the Fever versus the Minnesota Lynx game was revealed.

Despite the Fever losing 99-88, the game still drew 1.26 million viewers and was the third-most watched WNBA game in the network’s history despite going head-to-head with the NFL’s broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles versus the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.

All six of the games to hit one million viewers or more on Ion this season have featured Clark.

The previous week, Clark helped break another record when her Fever beat Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky 100-81. That game averaged 1.6 million viewers and peaked with 1.92 million viewers despite airing during the Oklahoma-Temple college football game. It was the most-watched WNBA game ever on Ion.

Of the 23 WNBA games this season to top the one-million viewer mark, Clark has been featured in 19 of them. One-fifth of all WNBA games to hit one million viewers have come this season. Prior to Clark’s arrival, the last WNBA game to draw one million views was in 2008.

Related: Former NBA All-Star Explains Indiana Fever’s Biggest Caitlin Clark Mistake