Caitlin Clark’s presence and influence on the WNBA has been compared to Tiger Woods’ impact on professional golf as the Indiana Fever star faces another injury issue
Caitlin Clark missed the Fever’s loss to the Sparks but cheered on her teammates(Image: Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark’s latest injury and absence could be “devastating” to the WNBA as ratings threaten to plummet.
On Thursday, Clark sat out as the Indiana Fever fell 85-75 to the Los Angeles Sparks as the All-Star was dealing with a left groin issue. Clark did not miss a game in college or her rookie year in the WNBA, but she has had issues in her sophomore season.
Clark suffered a quadriceps injury following a loss to the New York Liberty, and missed five games; the Indiana Fever went 2-3 in her absence. As a result, concerns are starting to develop over her long-term health and future given the physical treatment she receives from rivals.
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Upon her return from injury, Clark inspired the Fever to an epic win over the defending champion and previously unbeaten Liberty thanks to a stunning flurry of 3-pointers en route to a 32-point showing. However, her shooting collapsed over the next three games; Clark shot 1-23 from deep against the Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, and Seattle Storm.
Clark is considered day-to-day with the left groin issue, and she has already missed the Sparks loss. Christine Brennan lamented Clark’s injury struggles and suggested the WNBA is going to feel her absence.
“It is devastating to the WNBA when Caitlin Clark is out,” Brennan told Keith Murphy. “There may be people out there on X or social media who want to dispute that, but facts are facts and the truth is the truth and the data is there.
“When Caitlin was out the first time, the five games she missed earlier this season, the WNBA’s viewership dropped more than 50 percent. Not just the Fever, but the entire league,” she said of the impact of Clark’s previous absence.
“I’ve covered Tiger Woods the length of his career. As big a deal as Tiger was in men’s golf, and when he was gone it affected the ratings, but nothing like that. And Michael Jordan being out, maybe five percentage points or something. Nothing like this.”
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Caitlin Clark struggled with shooting before sitting out against the Sparks(Image: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
She added: “There is no one single athlete more important to his or her sport or tour or whatever the circuit is that they play on, than Caitlin Clark is to the WNBA.”
Accordingt to Nielsen, the WNBA saw up to a 55 percent drop in ratings of nationally televised games when Clark was out. Clark is averaging 18.2 points on 39 percent shooting, including 29.5 percent from 3, 8.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game through her nine games this season.
Her status for Friday night’s clash with Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings is up in the air. Fever head coach Stephanie White suggested Clark could feature, even as the franchise navigate a packed schedule.
Of the tight schedule, White said: “Certainly, in my mind, it is. At the same time, she has shown she’s tough, and a quick healer, so we’ll see.”
Clark’s 7-8 Fever are next in action against the 4-12 Wings on Friday, June 27.
