The astonishing figures that show the monetary impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA

Caitlin Clark's impact on the WNBA has been nothing short of remarkable, both on and off the court. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Clark's presence in the league has not only increased its visibility but also generated significant financial gains, according to finance expert Dr. Ryan Brewer.

Brewer, an associate professor of finance at Indiana University Columbus, has done extensive research on the economic effects of athletes in professional sports.

When examining Clark's influence on the WNBA, he was stunned by the results. After recalculating his figures multiple times, Brewer concluded that Clark is responsible for an astounding 26.5 percent of the league's activity, including attendance, merchandise sales, and television viewership.

"The numbers are so staggering," Brewer commented.

"They don't even seem real."

What impact did Clark have on ticket sales?

His findings revealed that one out of every six tickets sold at a WNBA game in 2024 was linked to Clark. Additionally, total TV viewership for the league increased by 300 percent, with 45 percent of the broadcast value coming from games featuring the Indiana Fever, Clark's team. The league's merchandise sales skyrocketed by 500%, with Clark leading the charge, followed by Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.

Clark's influence has been felt even more strongly in Indianapolis. Brewer estimates that her arrival has contributed more than 36 million dollars to the city's economy. While not as large as the 400 million dollars generated by the NBA All-Star Game, this is a notable boost for a single player in just one year.

However, despite her incredible impact, Clark is unlikely to be compensated in a way that fully reflects her worth as a WNBA player. Still, she has secured several high-profile endorsement deals, including a 28 million dollars partnership with Nike, which will help offset this discrepancy.