Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft on February 29. More than a month before she can even be picked, she’s already having a huge impact on Indiana Fever ticket sales and interest in the team next season.
Clark, who recently set the NCAA all-time scoring record, is one of the most decorated players in the history of college basketball. She is the reigning AP Player of the Year, John Wooden Coach of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year.
- Caitlin Clark stats (2023-’24): 32.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 46.5% FG
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While she and the Hawkeyes are preparing for March Madness, with Iowa viewed as one of the favorites to win the national championship, excitement is quickly building for her WNBA debut and one of the most highly-anticipated rookie seasons in years.
The Fever, who finished with the third-worst record in the WNBA standings last season, had the highest odds (44.2 percent) of winning the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Unlike the NBA, the WNBA uses the combined records from the last two seasons to determine lottery odds.
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Indiana was awarded the first overall pick in the draft lottery on Dec. 10, 2023, giving them the top selection for the second consecutive year. While Clark was early into her senior season, she was already viewed as the consensus top pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
While the Fever haven’t announced who they will draft with the first pick, they also haven’t exactly hidden their interest in Clark. Immediately after the Hawkeyes’ legend declared for the draft, Indiana put out a statement.
“Our staff is preparing for the upcoming WNBA Draft and we will select the best player available with the No. 1 overall pick.”
Indiana Ffever GM Lin Dunn after Caitlin Clark declared for WNBA Draft (H/ T Chloe Peterson)
Fever season tickets and group tickets are now for sale, but team officials are encouraging fans to sign up quickly because they are selling out at a historic rate.
Vivid Seats also recently announced that the average ticket price for a Fever game next season has more than doubled from its cost last season, increasing from $60 to $140 thanks to anticipation for Clark. On StubHub, the cheapest ticket available for Indiana’s season opener on May 16 is $359, with some tickets selling for more than $1,000.
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The Fever have also reported a massive influx of season-ticket inquiries and purchases, although official numbers weren’t disclosed. However, Whitney Medworthy of Hoem Field Apparel shared on March 1 that season tickets in the lower level are already sold out.
Once Clark is officially drafted by Indiana, she’ll join forward Aliyah Boston, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, as the new stars of the Fever as they usher in a ton of excitement for the future of the WNBA in Indiana.