NEW YORK — Soon after Caitlin Clark announced her plans to enter the WNBA draft pool, the Indiana Fever’s ticket offices got noticeably busier.
“We’ve seen a lot of enthusiasm online and on social media,” Pacers Sports and Entertainment wrote in a statement to The Associated Press. “The organization has also seen the enthusiasm lead to a spike in ticket inquiries.”
The Fever wouldn’t disclose how many tickets they’ve sold. Still, getting the Iowa Hawkeyes star with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft would be a boost to the franchise, which was second-to-last in attendance last season, averaging 4,067 fans at home games.
“It’s Clarkonomics,” basketball analyst Deb Antonelli said. “Her ability to move the meter and the excitement around her is incredible. The socially acceptable thing to do is to watch Caitlin Clark play basketball.”
Antonelli worked for the Fever for 18 years and thinks the only thing that has resembled the excitement around Clark being drafted No. 1 was the team’s run to the WNBA title in 2012.