Caitlin Clark Will SMASH Unrivaled’s Season with THIS ONE VIDEO

This week, women’s basketball found itself at the center of a media storm, not because of a buzzer-beater or a championship win, but thanks to a ten-second teaser video that has already reshaped the conversation around the WNBA. The star of this viral moment? None other than Caitlin Clark—the former Iowa Hawkeye whose transition to the WNBA has already set new standards for attention and engagement. In the clip, Clark joins forces with YouTube juggernauts Dude Perfect for a trick shot challenge, and the internet’s response has been nothing short of explosive.

Within hours, the teaser racked up over 11 million views, a staggering figure that dwarfs the average television audience for most WNBA games. In fact, it’s more than double the viewership of many league broadcasts. The collaboration instantly became a trending topic, sending Clark’s fanbase and her critics into overdrive. For context, this kind of viral reach is something that even the most ambitious women’s basketball projects—like the newly launched Unrivaled league—have struggled to achieve despite significant investment and star power.

So, what makes this collaboration so impactful? The answer lies in what has become known as the “Caitlin Clark Effect.” Every move Clark makes, whether it’s on the court, in a postgame interview, or in a viral video, seems to generate unprecedented buzz for women’s basketball. Her presence has already forced teams to relocate games to larger NBA arenas just to accommodate the crowds, and her games are now must-see TV. Sponsorships follow her, media outlets clamor for interviews, and young fans—many of whom had never watched women’s basketball before—are suddenly tuning in.

The timing of this viral video is also crucial. It arrives just as Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars and backed by major investment, is trying to carve out its place in the sports landscape. Despite its noble goals of elevating the women’s game and providing higher salaries, Unrivaled’s inaugural season drew only modest TV ratings, with a peak of around 400,000 viewers for its championship game. While impressive for a startup, these numbers pale in comparison to the organic reach of Clark’s ten-second teaser, which cost the WNBA nothing and delivered millions of instant impressions.

The secret sauce here is the platform. Dude Perfect’s YouTube channel boasts over 60 million subscribers and has amassed more than 18 billion total views. Their audience is young, engaged, and, most importantly, includes countless sports fans who might never otherwise watch a WNBA game. By collaborating with Clark, they’re introducing her—and by extension, the league—to a vast, untapped demographic. And unlike a typical 30-second commercial, this is authentic, long-form content that allows viewers to see Clark’s personality, skill, and charisma up close.

Past collaborations between Dude Perfect and NBA stars like Steph Curry and Luka Doncic have routinely drawn 15 to 20 million views. There’s every reason to believe Clark’s episode will match or even surpass those numbers, especially given the teaser’s runaway success. This is the kind of exposure that marketers and league executives dream about—and it’s happening organically, without the need for expensive ad buys or elaborate campaigns.

Contrast this with Unrivaled’s season, which, despite claims of hundreds of millions of social impressions, struggled to break into the mainstream sports conversation. Most of its audience consisted of hardcore women’s basketball fans, not the casual or new viewers the league hoped to attract. The return on investment—measured in cost per viewer—was sky-high compared to what Clark delivers with a single viral moment. It’s a powerful reminder that in today’s sports landscape, star power and cultural relevance are what move the needle.

The “Caitlin Clark Effect” is also transforming the WNBA’s business model. The Indiana Fever, once a low-profile franchise, will have 41 of their 44 games broadcast nationally in 2025—more than the defending champion New York Liberty. Networks and sponsors are making it clear: Clark is the draw, and they want her front and center. Even outside of basketball, her appearances at major sporting events, charity tournaments, and pop culture moments consistently generate headlines and social media buzz. Whether she’s attending an NFL game with Taylor Swift or participating in a celebrity golf tournament, Clark’s presence commands attention.

This phenomenon creates a “halo effect” that benefits not just Clark, but the entire league. People who might never watch a WNBA game still see her trending for her trick shots, her interviews, or her celebrity connections. This keeps women’s basketball in the national conversation year-round, fueling anticipation for each new season and attracting new fans in the process.

For the WNBA, this is a pivotal moment. The league is preparing to renegotiate its collective bargaining agreement, and player salaries are expected to rise. Clark’s ability to attract sponsors, viewers, and cultural relevance is more important than ever. Her viral video with Dude Perfect isn’t just a fun collaboration—it’s a blueprint for how the league can continue to grow by embracing its brightest stars and meeting fans where they are.

In the end, Caitlin Clark is more than just a basketball player—she’s a transcendent figure who is redefining what’s possible for women’s sports. Her collaboration with Dude Perfect is proof that one viral moment can do more to grow the game than an entire season of traditional promotion. As millions tune in to watch her sink impossible shots and share laughs with the Dude Perfect crew, they’re also witnessing the future of the WNBA. For Unrivaled and other challengers, the message is clear: the game has changed, and Caitlin Clark is leading the way.