Basketball sensation Caitlin Clark continues to shatter records as her Indiana Fever jersey becomes the best-selling jersey ever for a draft pick.
In a remarkable year, 22-year-old Clark has been making waves on the basketball court for the Iowa Hawkeyes, captivating audiences and breaking records. Unsurprisingly, her exceptional performance has earned her the coveted title of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, with the Indiana Fever selecting her.
According to Fanatics, the licensed sportswear retailer, her Fever jersey, featuring the number 22, has already become the highest-earning jersey ever for a draft pick.
According to the Fanatics website, their initial batch of jerseys is currently sold out. However, they are still accepting pre-orders, and a restock is expected to be shipped in August.
Clark’s star power not only made an impact on the basketball court but also set a significant milestone in television history. According to ESPN, the coverage of the WNBA draft garnered an average of 2.45 million viewers, reaching a peak of 3.09 million. This is a remarkable achievement, considering that the previous draft in 2023 only attracted an audience of 572,000. Moreover, it surpasses the previous draft record set in 2004, which saw 601,000 viewers tuning in. The increased viewership is a testament to the growing popularity and importance of women’s basketball.
The Clark effect has also resulted in an increase in ticket sales.
Soon after Clark announced her plans to enter the WNBA draft, the Fever experienced a surge in ticket inquiries, as reported by The Associated Press. This heightened interest prompted the Las Vegas Aces to relocate their July 2 game against the Fever from the 12,000-seat Michelob Ultra Arena to the larger T-Mobile Arena, which can accommodate 18,000 basketball spectators.
“When I was in second grade, I wrote down a dream on a piece of paper: to get a basketball scholarship and play in the WNBA,” Clark shared with NBC News correspondent Stephanie Gosk in an interview.
During her introductory news conference with the Fever on Wednesday, Clark expressed her excitement about starting her career with the team, stating, “I can’t imagine a more perfect place to begin.”
When asked about her aspirations to inspire the next generation, she responded with the following: “A significant factor in shaping the person I am today is the unwavering confidence I had in myself. I believe that many young girls face challenges in cultivating self-assurance in the present day.”
“It’s the support system surrounding them that truly instills that sense of confidence. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had such an incredible network of support throughout my life. From the dedicated youth coaches who nurtured my talent, to the high school coaches who pushed me to excel, to my parents and family who always believed in my abilities, I was never told that I couldn’t achieve something,” she explained.
She expressed, “If you desire something, you can achieve it; you just need to work hard for it. That’s the most significant advice I would give to the younger generation.”