WNBA ratings drop during Caitlin Clark’s injury absence

The WNBA has significantly reduced TV ratings during the Indiana Fever Star Kate Rinklerk He remains on the sidelines due to a quad injury.

Clark missed five straight games after she strained her quadriceps Fever Last month, they suffered a 90-88 defeat to New York Liberty.

Initially, she was expected to miss two weeks, but the second-year security guard has yet to be cleared in Saturday’s match against Liberty.

Indiana Fever Guard Kate Rinklerk (22) will officially ask questions on May 4, 2025 during a preseason match against Brazilian national team at Carver Hoki Arena in Iowa City. (image)

Her absence in court does not only hurt the fever. it hurts WNBA’s TV rating.

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USA TODAY Nielsen data reported on Thursday that WNBA viewers that have aired nationwide have fallen by 55% since Clark was injured on May 24th. The report says that nationally televised heat games have also fallen by 53%.

Autkick clarified These numbers report that of the four previous games Clark played, two have been aired on CBS and ABC. The third was broadcast on NBA TV and a quarter was broadcast on Amazon Prime, so it wasn’t rated by Nielsen.

Three of the four heat games after Clark was injured were aired on either NBA TV or Ion. And Fever’s latest game against the Chicago Sky has averaged 1.92 million viewers, the WNBA announced Tuesday.

Indiana Fever Guard Kate Rinklark (22) and Chicago Sky Forward Angel Rees (5) will shake hands before the May 17, 2025 match at Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Magn Images)

Fever, Sky Matchup captivates a big audience as the cheers of injured Kate Linklark.

These numbers reflect the third-highest viewer of the game that CBS carries. It also significantly increased the network’s average regular season game audience. However, it was a drop from the season opener between these two teams.

Fever head coach Stephanie White said Monday that the team is ready to start Clark’s “backup,” but she didn’t say if she’s still cleared due to basketball activities. White added Thursday that Clark and Sophie Cunningham, who have been on the sidelines since May 30, had “limited” reps during practice.

Indiana Fever Guard Kate Rinklark (22) served as manager Stephanie White with Carver Haway Arena’s Brazilian national team in the third quarter. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagine image)

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Clark averaged 19 points, 9.3 assists and six rebounds in four games this season.

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