Another WNBA Team CASHES IN on Caitlin Clark—Will Haters Finally Bend the Knee?
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the WNBA, the Dallas Wings have become the latest franchise to cash in on the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, shifting their June 27th home game against the Indiana Fever from their regular 6,000-seat college arena to the 20,000-seat American Airlines Center, home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. The reason? One player’s star power is simply too big for the usual venues. Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s generational rookie, is driving unprecedented demand, and the rest of the league is scrambling to keep up.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In fact, it’s quickly becoming the norm. Teams across the WNBA are moving their Fever games to larger venues specifically to accommodate the tidal wave of Clark fans. Chicago made headlines by relocating both of their home games against Indiana to the United Center, which seats over 20,000. The Washington Mystics are moving two Fever games to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena. Even the Connecticut Sun and Las Vegas Aces found ways to host Indiana in NBA-sized buildings. That’s six teams and counting, all making special arrangements for one player’s arrival.
The so-called “Scheduling Conflict” meme started last year, when Atlanta’s ownership insisted their move to a bigger arena wasn’t about Clark, but a calendar issue. Fans weren’t fooled, and the joke stuck: wherever Caitlin goes, “the scheduling conflict strikes again.” Now, teams aren’t even bothering to hide it. Dallas’s CEO openly said these women deserve a chance to play in a big-time arena with a record home crowd, and the league is billing these matchups as star-studded events.
Why all this fuss? The numbers tell the story. In her rookie season, Clark and the Fever shattered attendance records everywhere they went. Indiana drew over 340,000 fans at home, setting a new WNBA single-season record. League-wide, attendance grew by double digits, with 154 sellouts—more than triple the previous year. Every time Clark came to town, arenas filled to the rafters. On television, the effect was just as dramatic: the seven most-watched WNBA games ever on ESPN all happened last season, and the Fever were featured in many of them. A regular season game against Seattle drew 2.23 million viewers on ABC, and a matchup with the Chicago Sky pulled 2.25 million on CBS—numbers that rival NBA broadcasts.
Clark’s impact isn’t just about filling seats and boosting ratings; it’s changing how teams approach everything from roster building to marketing. The Fever’s front office recognized they had a once-in-a-generation talent on a rookie deal and went all-in this offseason. They signed proven winners like DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Brianna Turner, adding championship pedigree and defensive toughness. They traded for Sophie Cunningham, a fan-favorite enforcer who’s already declared she’s here to protect Clark and her teammates. Kelsey Mitchell, one of the league’s deadliest scorers, re-signed, and young stars like Aaliyah Boston and Lexie Hull remain in the mix. Suddenly, Indiana looks less like a rebuilding project and more like a title contender.
For Clark, this is a dream scenario. At Iowa, she carried a group of overachievers to back-to-back national title games. Now, for the first time, she’s surrounded by multiple all-stars and champions. Last season, she dragged Indiana from the bottom of the standings to a playoff berth, snapping a seven-year drought. With a bolstered roster, Fever fans are dreaming even bigger, and the MVP buzz is real. Clark was already a top-five player by the end of her rookie year, and after an offseason to rest and build chemistry, she might be even better. With so many weapons around her, she could lead the league in assists and still drop 20-plus points a night.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled. Some WNBA veterans and fans grumble about the constant Clark coverage and claim the league is “forcing” her on everyone. There are whispers about double standards, and some insist she isn’t the only draw. But the facts are clear: when teams move mountains—or at least games—for one player, that’s the definition of star power. Jealousy is natural, but everyone benefits. Higher ratings mean more ad dollars and better salaries. Sold-out arenas mean more revenue and proof that women’s basketball is growing. These numbers will shape future collective bargaining, giving all players more leverage.
Clark herself remains humble, deflecting praise to teammates and focusing on team goals. She even turned down an NBA All-Star Weekend invitation, choosing instead to save her three-point contest debut for the WNBA’s own event. That’s a league-first mentality, using her spotlight to elevate the whole sport. As the “Scheduling Conflict Tour” rolls on, it’s clear Clark isn’t just the face of the Fever—she’s the main event everywhere she goes.
So, will the haters finally bend the knee? Maybe not. Rivalries and trash talk are part of what makes sports great. But the numbers don’t lie: Caitlin Clark is the biggest show in women’s basketball, and her rising tide is lifting all boats. The 2025 season is set to be even bigger, with record crowds, monster TV ratings, and a Fever team that looks ready to chase a title. If you can get a ticket to the Caitlin Clark show, don’t miss it—this is a once-in-a-generation phenomenon, and the whole league is cashing in.
