What is the Caitlin Clark effect?
What is the Caitlin Clark effect?
By Kirsten Cunanan October 01, 2024 08:49
Caitlin Clark has been an icon of women’s basketball since her successful start at the University of Iowa. Within her first year, she established herself and how much talent and skills she brings to the court. Her exceptional abilities have drawn people towards her, having some type of “effect” that people want to see her play.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
According to the Des Moines Register, the “Caitlin Clark Effect” refers to the increase in viewers and sales for the University of Iowa and the other universities she played against.
Even Clark herself finds it ‘crazy’ how much people love her and want to see her. In her college years, her games were always sold out, and tickets were expected to go higher per succeeding game.
“It’s honestly hard for me to wrap my head around [it]. It’s crazy, it’s crazy the way people scream my name and really support us, and I try to make time for as many of them as I can,” Clark said to Doug Feinberg, AP News.
Coming into the WNBA boosted Clark’s fame. The amount of people who support her has doubled since her college career. This also offered a good effect for the Indiana Fevers whose attendees doubled, and merchandise sales went up 1,000%.
Obviously, this attention from fans is something that Clark is already used to, but she remained grateful for every single interaction.
“These are moments people spend a lot of time and money and effort to make special, for whether it's their kids, whether it's their friends, or whoever they're coming to the game with," she said. "[F]or me to be a small part of that and just get to do what I love, it's pretty easy for me, so I feel very fortunate.”
Clark’s journey from becoming a college star to a WNBA frontrunner has clearly inspired many young girls. With that, she becomes a role model and the future of the league. Her strong skills and soft heart have charmed millions of fans to sell out stadiums and increase sales. It’s only the beginning of her career, but the “Caitlin Clark Effect” will only get bigger from here.