Just a month ago, the WNBA was riding an incredible high. Projections had the league poised to break the $1 billion mark in player-related revenue and contribute to the global women’s sports economy projected to hit $2.35 billion. And at the heart of this surge? One name: Caitlin Clark. Believe it or not, the economic juggernaut was projected to generate up to $875 million in impact on her own, with packed arenas and consistent sellout crowds fueling the momentum. But what was shaping up to be a landmark year has quickly turned into a reality check!

All of it shifted on May 24, during a game against the New York Liberty, when the Indiana Fever superstar suffered a left quad injury. After experiencing intense pain, Clark underwent an MRI that revealed a quadriceps strain. And this was ‘The Bad news’ not just for the Fever, but for the entire league.

Well, losing their core offensive engine has clearly impacted Indiana’s 4–5 record, but the ripple effects have gone far beyond the court. Arenas that had shifted venues to accommodate larger crowds for Clark-led games have seen attendance plummet by up to 70%. For the first four games she missed, prices dipped from $137 to $80.

But the biggest blow came during the Fever’s much-hyped clash against the Chicago Sky. Clark’s absence sent “get-in” prices tumbling 71%—from $210 down to $60–$70—while resale value on secondary markets reportedly dipped to just $7 per ticket. However, further updates reveal that it isn’t just the ticket sales taking the hit.

According to Nielsen, nationally televised WNBA viewership is down 55% since Clark’s injury. Just Fever games alone have seen a 53% dip, now averaging only 847,000 viewers per game—down from a stunning 1.81 million prior to her absence. That’s the kind of impact Caitlin Clark has had on the WNBA. But the question remains, will things get better? Well, the head coach hasn’t let out much.

Clark, who was supposed to be back after the game against the Sky, missed her fifth consecutive game when the Fever lost to the Dream. All White had to say was that the staff were being cautious. “We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to be cautious,” she said. “We’re going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally.” However, the coach did reveal that the 2024 ROTY been allowed to participate in practice, though not to full capacity. So it remains uncertain as to when Clark will be back. But given that the Fever do not play until Saturday, she might as well find plenty of time to pull into full practices.

This has been a new experience for Clark—her first time missing games in her pro career—and the league is feeling the void. But it’s only a matter of time. However, the recent surge across the league might point to something more than just bad luck!

There’s an upsurge in W’s injuries this season! 

When the 2025 season kicked off, it was supposed to be a celebration of growth with a record of 44 games schedule, surging ticket sales, and a staggering $200 million per year media deal. But, just weeks into the season, the same league is drawing heavy critisism from the players themselves. Why? Well, Liberty guard Natasha Cloud puts it better, “If Cathy [Engelbert] keeps adding more games in this short stint of time, the injuries are going to continue to go up.”

“When you talk about a big business and the overall protection of your investment, we are the investment as players. Your job is to protect us.” Her concerns are echoed across the league, with several stars, including Satou Sabally and Breanna Stewart, demanding a more reasonable playing timeline to allow proper recovery and safeguard player health.

And with Indiana Fever the case might be same. After grueling stretch of nine games in about three weeks, the team has ended up losing three key players to injury. And two of the guards, Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunnigham, got down in just one game. “This pace just isn’t sustainable,” said Stewart. And that’s right. Fever’s got 35 games more to perform, with many of which include brutal road trips to opposite coasts within 48 hour window.

The 2023 season had 40 games played over 114 days. This season? Forty-four games in just 118 days. That’s four extra games but only four extra days—a mathematical nightmare for recovery. So you know the players are a tad bit on the edge.