Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman Says Caitlin Clark Is Driving WNBA's Economic Surge

Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA in 2024 with a massive college following, and the league’s average viewership jumped from roughly 440,000 in 2023 to almost 1.2 million per game. Signature games this season have attracted more than 2.6 million viewers, establishing new highs for both network and cable broadcasts. Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, speaking on a sports platform, said Clark’s influence extends beyond on-court performance, positioning her as a financial catalyst comparable to Michael Jordan’s effect on the NBA and Tiger Woods’ on golf.

Lieberman highlighted the league’s recent 11-year, $2.2 billion media-rights contract and a fresh collective bargaining agreement that raised salaries and benefits, suggesting Clark’s star power helped make these deals possible. While other players like Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers also draw fans, Lieberman maintains Clark stands out as a unique engine for growth. She even placed Clark in the conversation for the 2026 MVP award, emphasizing her broader impact on the sport’s popularity.