WNBA suffers massive ratings drop as Caitlin Clark remains sidelined

In the United States, the absence of Caitlin Clark, a star player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, has led to a substantial decline in viewership and sports betting interest for the league since she was sidelined with a quad injury on May 24, 2025. Having missed five consecutive games, Clark's presence on the court has proven crucial for the WNBA's popularity. Recent ratings data from Nielsen shows that the league's nationally televised viewership dropped by 55% and Fever games experienced a 53% decline since her injury. Before her injury, the Fever averaged 1,810,000 viewers for nationally televised games, which decreased to 847,000 viewers post-injury. Betting activity has also suffered a decline, with reports indicating a nearly 50% drop in wagering on Indiana Fever games following Clark's injury. The Indiana Fever faced challenges not only in drawing in viewers but also in maintaining sports betting interest without their leading star. BetMGM highlighted a 37% fall in betting activity for two games that Clark missed. Despite the Fever having a well-attended recent game against the Chicago Sky, it illustrated the stark drop in engagement since Clark's initial stint on the court. This decline in viewership coincided with Clark's early season performances, where she averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, and 6.0 rebounds across the first four games of the season. The two-week timeline initially projected for her recovery seems to have extended, leaving the Fever and the WNBA in a precarious position as they await news on her potential return. While fans remain eager for her comeback, the league may need to confront significant challenges in order to recapture the audience interest that has diminished in her absence. The WNBA's struggles are further compounded by ongoing debates regarding the league's marketing strategies and the response to critics of Clark's prominence, suggesting an identity crisis for the organization since her arrival in 2024 that introduced a level of superstardom not seen before. As Clark continues to recover, the impact of her absence reflects wider issues within the WNBA regarding star players and their influence on viewership and engagement. Careful consideration of how to effectively approach her recovery and return could be pivotal for reigniting the fervor surrounding the league, as it is evident that Caitlin Clark's presence has been a driving force behind ratings and interest over the past season.