Michael Jordan No Match for Caitlin Clark Thanks to National Analyst’s Jaw-Dropping 97.4% Revelation

Given how big of a star Caitlin Clark was in college, her rookie year came as no surprise. She quickly became a fan favorite, drawing massive crowds eager to see her in action. Her popularity played a huge role in boosting viewership, ticket sales, and overall interest in the game. It was as if everything she touched turned to gold! This phenomenon wasn’t limited to the Fever, though— it helped propel the entire WNBA into the spotlight. Analysts even dubbed it the “Caitlin Clark effect,” drawing comparisons to the arrival of other prominent rookies in basketball history.

On the Courtside Club, show host Rachel Annamarie DeMita talked about CC’s impact on the league. She showed an eye-catching post, comparing the Indiana Fever star with Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. “A graphic that I saw on Twitter today was so interesting. It said ‘The Jordan Effect’ vs ‘The Caitlin Clark Effect’ through the first 33 games.” DeMita said, going on to talk about how Michael Jordan affected the league’s popularity. “When Jordan entered the league, the average attendance per year prior to him was 8021 people. And during his rookie year, that went up 60.3% with the average being 12,855.”

No doubt, Michael Jordan revived basketball in Chicago. Before him, the team was a mess, and the league was slowly getting ready to move on from its old stars. The athletic 6-6 high flyer breathed new life into the league. However, it seems as though Iowa alum Caitlin Clark has surpassed him majorly.

DeMita contrasted the two to reveal a surprising figure. “Now if you look at ‘The Caitlin Clark Effect’ and what she has done for the WNBA and the Indiana Fever. Before Caitlin Clark went to the WNBA, the average attendance was 6109. And then during her rookie year, the average attendance was 15,746 which is a 157.7% increase.”

That’s a difference of 97.4%, which is massive. Caitlin Clark impacted her league almost twice as much as Michael Jordan did when he first burst onto the scene. The statistic is mind-blowing, especially considering that Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.

It just goes to show what a cultural icon Caitlin Clark has become. Her presence both on and off the court have brought a lot of fame to the W, and rightfully so! Even her new coach Stephanie White has nothing but praise for her in the first few days of training.

Caitlin Clark receives surprising praise from new Fever coach

Stephanie White has made her return to Indiana, and this time she has a squad worth noting. Headlined by Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, and Natasha Howard, the Fever team is definitely one to reckon with. There is an immense amount of talent in that locker room, none more so than the Iowa alum.

While speaking at Purdue University, head coach Stephanie White said that coaching Caitlin Clark was the biggest reason she left the Connecticut Sun for Indiana. As for the star’s work ethic? She said that CC has been highly coachable.

via Imago

“Most great players want to be coached, they want to be challenged, they want to be pushed outside of their comfort zone because the want to be the greatest that has ever played.” White said while talking about Caitlin Clark.

The Indiana Fever guard’s work ethic and competitive fire sets her apart from other stars in the W. She wants to win so bad that you can feel it through the TV screen. There isn’t a scenario where losing is acceptable for Caitlin Clark. Her dynamic presence has benefited both Nike and the league greatly, and fans can only wonder where her ceiling is.