Clark’s first home appearance for Indiana more than tripled average attendance last season
Indiana has a fever. No, not more cowbell. They’ve got Caitlin Clark fever.
At least that’s the most logical conclusion after the WNBA’s newest star made her first appearance on Indiana’s home floor.
Clark’s presence generated a buzz in her new hometown as droves of basketball fans flocked to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to catch a glimpse of the rookie.
How many fans? Official attendance on Thursday night was 13,028. Average attendance for the Indiana Fever during the regular season last year was just over 4,000.
In fact, the average attendance for the league’s most-watched team, the Las Vegas Aces, was 9,551 last season.
Whatcha gonna do Indiana fans, when Clarkmania runs wild on you?
Caitlin Clark Already Breaking Records With The Indiana Fever
CNN describes attendance at the Indiana Fever game as the “Clark effect” noting that the numbers represent “a new preseason franchise record.”
And it’s clear the new WNBA star was loving the crowd and the atmosphere they brought to a relatively meaningless game.
“I thought they were loud, I thought they were into it,” she said. “It was fun to see some people in some Iowa stuff and then a lot of people in Fever gear. “
“This is a preseason game on a Thursday night and there’s 13,000 people here,” she said, clearly taken aback.
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How’d She Do?
Once you sort through that initial energy, how did Caitlin Clark perform in front of the Indiana Fever crowd?
It wasn’t a particularly hot night from the floor for Clark, as she shot just 33% from the field. But, all told, she contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
A solid night.
And the Fever home crowd left the building happy with Indiana securing an 83-80 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
If this is any indicator, Clark is going to be a draw not just for Indiana, but any team they happen to face on the road.
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