Caitlin Clark and the University of Iowa Women's Basketball have sold out every opponent's arena this season. They are an extremely valuable ticket on the road and attendance is up 145% when the Clark and the Hawkeyes come to town.
The Indiana Fever have the first selection in the upcoming 2024 WNBA Draft. Indiana had a tough year in terms of wins. Though they did have the 2023 Rookie of the Year, Aliyah Boston, in the squad. In terms of attendance, the Fever averaged only just under 5000 per game this past season.
In Sports Business terms, what is it about college sports that puts people in the seats? Why are kids and their families flocking to catch a glimpse Caitlin Clark shrugging after dropping another three? And what makes it seemingly more appealing to head to a college game instead of going to a WNBA game?
Caitlin Clark currently has the third highest NIL value in women's college basketball at numbers estimated over $750K. She has deals with Nike, Gatorade and State Farm. Angel Reese of LSU is ranked first in NIL value just over $1M. She has recently penned a deal with Reebok.
The highest paid WNBA Player, Erica Wheeler of the Indiana Fever, earned around $250K applied to the team's salary cap. The average salary is roughly $150K in the WNBA.
Fast Forward. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese (LSU), and co. take their talents to the W. Can they bring the Women's College Basketball energy and massive attendance to the WNBA? Can they bring their earning power to the professional ranks? Will they maintain their value to sponsors as they progress to the pro game? Of course, much of this depends on their ability to maintain their level of play and continue to entertain fans on the court. But all things being equal, will they find their earning power to be greater than, similar to, or less than it was a college basketball superstar?
Comments