Angel Reese Claims Credit for Record-Breaking Sellout Crowd at Indiana Fever Game
In the world of sports, claiming credit is almost as competitive as the game itself. That’s exactly what happened this week when Angel Reese, rookie sensation for the Chicago Sky, took to social media to bask in the glow of a record-breaking sellout crowd at the Indiana Fever game. But as the dust settled and the memes started flying, fans and analysts alike started asking the obvious question: Was it really Angel Reese who packed the house, or was there another superstar drawing the crowds?
Let’s set the scene. Tickets to the Fever vs. Sky game were going for as low as $3—yes, you read that right, less than the price of a gas station hot dog. Social media was ablaze with jokes about whether the ticket came with a refund or a free taco. The stands, which have often struggled to fill up for regular WNBA games, were suddenly packed with over 19,000 fans, a number that would make even NBA teams jealous. For a league that’s spent years fighting for recognition, this was a milestone moment. Angel Reese wasted no time in celebrating the achievement, posting on X (formerly Twitter) about the electric atmosphere and hinting that her presence was a major reason for the sellout.
But here’s where things get complicated. While Angel Reese is undoubtedly a rising star and one of the most marketable young players in the league, the truth is that most fans in attendance weren’t there to see her. The Indiana Fever, after all, are led by Caitlin Clark—the rookie phenom who has become the face of women’s basketball almost overnight. Clark’s impact on ticket sales and television ratings is nothing short of historic. Since joining the league, wherever she goes, arenas fill up, and the buzz is off the charts. On social media, fans quickly pointed out that the sea of Fever jerseys and Clark signs in the crowd made it clear who the real draw was. One viral post summed it up perfectly: “Angel Reese claiming credit for the sellout is like the opening band thinking the crowd came to see them instead of Taylor Swift.”
Still, it’s easy to understand why Angel Reese would want to stake her claim. She’s a competitor, and her confidence is part of what makes her such a compelling figure. Reese has been in the spotlight since her days at LSU, where she led her team to a national championship and became a household name. Her arrival in the WNBA was met with huge expectations, and she’s delivered plenty of highlight-reel moments. But in the context of this particular game, the numbers don’t lie. The Fever’s ticket sales and viewership have skyrocketed since Clark’s arrival. Even when the team is on the road, opposing arenas see massive spikes in attendance. It’s the “Caitlin Clark effect,” and it’s been a game-changer for the league.
The irony, of course, is that both Reese and Clark have been instrumental in raising the profile of women’s basketball. Their college rivalry brought unprecedented attention to the sport, and now, as pros, they’re helping to usher in a new era for the WNBA. In many ways, the sellout crowd was a testament to the combined star power of both rookies. But if we’re being honest, Clark is the main event. She’s the one moving the needle, drawing national headlines, and getting casual fans to tune in. The Fever’s marketing team knows it, the ticket resellers know it, and deep down, even Angel Reese probably knows it.
That hasn’t stopped Reese from leaning into the narrative. After the game, she talked up the atmosphere and the energy in the building, framing it as a win for women’s sports and for herself. It’s the kind of self-promotion that’s become second nature to athletes in the social media age. And to her credit, Reese has cultivated a massive following that’s helped keep the spotlight on the WNBA. But the online backlash was swift and, at times, brutal. Memes comparing the crowd’s enthusiasm for Clark to their indifference toward the Sky’s performance flooded Twitter and TikTok. Even some of Reese’s fans had to admit that the fever—pun intended—was all about Caitlin.
What does this mean for the future? For one, it’s a reminder that women’s basketball is finally having its moment. Sellout crowds, viral highlights, and national debates are all signs of a healthy, growing league. It also underscores the importance of star power in sports marketing. The WNBA has struggled for years to capture mainstream attention, but with personalities like Clark and Reese, the league is finally breaking through. The challenge now is to sustain that momentum and ensure that it benefits all teams and players, not just the headline acts.
As for Angel Reese, she’ll keep talking her talk and playing her game. That confidence, even if a little misplaced in this case, is what makes her a star in her own right. And who knows? Maybe next time, the sellout crowd really will be there just for her. Until then, the Caitlin Clark effect remains undefeated—and the record books have the receipts to prove it.
