Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images

Caitlin Clark, Fever vs. Mystics Moved to Capital One Arena amid 2024 WNBA Hype

Tyler Conway

Caitlin Clark hype has gotten so big that some WNBA arenas can't even hold her.

The Washington Mystics announced their June 7 game against Clark's Indiana Fever has been moved to Capital One Arena to keep up with ticket demand.

Clark, who was taken with the No. 1 pick in this week's WNBA draft by the Fever, is perhaps the most-hyped player in women's basketball history. Her journey through the 2024 NCAA Tournament generated several ratings records, including a record-shattering 18.7 million viewers for Iowa's championship game loss to South Carolina.

"Caitlin Clark is the sole reason why viewership has shot through the roof for our game—sole reason," South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. "The decision makers are following suit in making sure that other games are being played besides Caitlin Clark. Because if you play Caitlin Clark, you're gonna run up against somebody that you might find is pretty good. We were pretty good. Over 18 million people saw our national championship game. They tuned in to see Caitlin Clark, but what did they get? They got Caitlin Clark, and they got South Carolina. They got Kamilla Cardoso, they got Ashlyn Watkins, they got MiLaysia Fulwiley, they got Tessa Johnson. They got a number of players that they can now cheer for."

While interest in women's basketball has been rising for years, Clark's on-court brilliance has already led to exponential growth before she's ever played a professional game.

Ticket interest in Fever games has been through the roof, and it's likely the Mystics won't be the first team to change arenas to accommodate fan interest.

Nike is also reportedly close to inking Clark to an eight-figure endorsement contract, according to The Athletic, a sign that the hype train is nowhere near stopping now.

   

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