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    Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese lead 1,000 percent spike in WNBA player merchandise sales

    By Christian Arnold,

    15 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ZH2LP_0ub3vdGu00

    Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have done a lot for the WNBA in their rookie seasons with their play on the court drawing record TV ratings and helping pack arenas .

    Now you can add lifting merchandise sales to that list.

    The WNBA’s retail partner, Fanatics, told TMZ on Tuesday that it has had a 500 percent increase in business during the first half of the season and a 1,000 percent spike in player-specific sales versus what it sold last year.

    Unsurprisingly, Clark and Reese are the No. 1 and No. 2 players, respectively, in player-specific merchandise sales.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19CEcB_0ub3vdGu00
    Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have helped bring WNBA merch sales up in a big way. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

    Angel Reese sits courtside with Steph Curry, Kevin Durant for 2024 Olympics showcase

    The two WNBA superstars have generated headlines and drawn eyeballs wherever they’ve gone this season, and the rivalry between the two rookies has driven increased interest in the league as well.

    “Fan gear sales for the first half of the season are the highest in league history,” Fanatics told TMZ.

    While Clark and Reese have steered clear of fanning the flames over the perceived rivalry in the media, games against the two have become must-watch events for sports fans.

    Fever’s Caitlin Clark is ‘the best passer’ in the WNBA: Rebecca Lobo

    During this past weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game festivities in Phoenix, the pair played with one another and impressed fans when Clark connected with Reese on a no-look pass in the fourth quarter.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3UIhzd_0ub3vdGu00
    Team WNBA Sky forward Angel Reese (5) makes a shot over Team USA forward Breanna Stewart (10) during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

    Angel Reese on playing with Caitlin Clark:

    "It's so cool, when she gets the ball im running looking for the ball because I know she's gonna throw it, she's been great to play with. Hopefully in 4 years we'll be Olympians together." pic.twitter.com/Jddwe9T8Sc

    — WNBA Rookie Watch (@WNBARookieWatch) July 21, 2024

    Reese was asked about the chance to play alongside Clark during the ESPN broadcast of the game.

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    “It’s so cool, I know when she gets the ball I’m running looking for the ball because I know she’s gonna throw it,” Reese said. “So, she’s been great to play with. I mean, the future — we’re going to be playing with each other a lot. Hopefully, in four years we’ll be Olympians together.”

    The two superstars are also front-runners for WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zVk0N_0ub3vdGu00
    Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court during the WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix on July 20, 2024. Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

    Among some of the other players who have had the top-performing merchandise sales this season, Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu was the third top-selling player.

    The merchandise news comes after the WNBA has the framework of a new 11-year media rights agreement with Amazon, Disney and NBC worth $2.2 billion.

    The second half of the WNBA season begins on Aug. 15.

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

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