The Indiana Fever haven’t even drafted Caitlin Clark yet and they’re already reaping the benefits.
The former Iowa superstar is unanimously projected to be selected by the Fever with the first pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15, and Indiana told ESPN there has already been a “spike” in ticket interest.
Amid that increased interest, the Fever have taken the “unprecedented” action of pre-selling single-game tickets instead of two games for a 15-day stretch, per the report.
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Indiana is leaning heavily into the Clark mania in pitching those tickets, even if the franchise can’t yet say that the 22-year-old will be coming to town.
“The Fever are tipping off the most anticipated season in franchise history!” reads the pre-sale website. “Be there to see the 2024 #1 pick join forces with 2023 #1 pick Aliyah Boston.”
Clark’s presence is also driving ticket prices, as seen during the NCAA Tournament.
Vivid Seats told ESPN that Indiana’s season opener on May 14 against the Sun in Connecticut has received a 91 percent increase in price since she declared for the draft, and the Fever’s home opener on May 16 against the Liberty received a 50 percent boost.
SeatGeek told the outlet the average resale price for Indiana games is $182, marking a 136 percent uptick from last year’s 13-27 campaign.
Front Office Sports also reported how Clark’s road games are much pricier compared to other teams, with some tickets costing upwards of $100.
“This is definitely the most significant example I can think of on the women’s side,” Chris Leyden, SeatGeek’s director of growth marketing, told ESPN.
The reigning champion Aces previously announced they would be moving their July 2 home game against Indiana from Michelob Ultra Arena to the larger T-Mobile Arena.
That game represented one of their five sell-outs, as of April 5.
The league and its television partners — largely ESPN — are also all-in on Clark, with 36 of the Fever’s 40 games to be broadcast nationally this upcoming season.
Indiana had just one national game last season.