The regular season in the WNBA has ended, and with it the first year of the Caitlin Clark era, although she will continue in the playoffs, as the Fever finished sixth and qualified for the playoffs. The point guard has been a revolution both on and off the court. She has become what was expected of her, a megastar with an immediate impact who has shattered the history books with records.
Caitlin Clark's records
Leader in assists: 8.4
Most fan votes for the All Star: 700,735
In her first season in the competition, she has led several statistics and broken numerous records. These include many for attendance at arenas. Without it affecting her game, she has been the focus of the media from start to finish for her play and even for racist controversies. In the last game of the season, at the home of the Washington Mystics (92-91 loss), the record for spectators in a WNBA game was broken: 20,711 attended the Capital One Arena, breaking the previous record, which was also held by her (20,674).
Bigger pavilion when she arrives
The Mystics usually play at Congress Heights, which seats just 4,200. The team from the capital city, like many others, moved arenas for Clark's visit. The Las Vegas Aces hosted 20,366 fans, which was the largest attendance for a regular-season game since 1999. The WNBA's 14 most-watched games this year all included the Fever.
This is just the beginning of a new era in the WNBA, which is set to take on a different dimension in terms of media and finances. When it comes to negotiating the collective agreement, the improvements in the conditions of the players should be considerable. Clark's own salary, around $76,000, has already been the subject of debate during the season.
The presence of the 22-year-old point guard has turned the league upside down and will even change the future of the competition. His impact could be similar to that caused by the duels between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the NBA. Everyone wants to enjoy him and as a result, markets will open up in the League. Golden State will have the Valkyries next season and by 2026 franchises in Portland and Toronto will enter the competition.
Caitlin Clark leads a Fever attack.
Before that, the young star will have to compete in the playoffs that begin this Sunday. After finishing second to last last season, the Fever have finished sixth with a record of 20 wins and as many losses. They will face the Connecticut Suns of the Spanish Astou Ndour. A new field in which the prodigious Clark has the possibility of continuing to accumulate statistical and audience records.
