The latest reports from the Paris Olympics indicate that the USA Women’s Basketball team, coached by Cheryl Reeve, is struggling to fill seats at their games. This news comes as no surprise to many, given the controversial decision to exclude star player Caitlin Clark from the team.
Despite the success of the WNBA in the United States, where games frequently sell out largely due to Caitlin Clark’s popularity, the Olympic team is not experiencing the same support. The Paris 2024 Olympics committee is reportedly unhappy about the ticket sales for the USA vs. Germany women’s basketball game scheduled for August 4th. Special offer tickets are now being sold at just 24 euros each, and seats could be anywhere in the venue, indicating a desperate attempt to attract fans.
Clark has been a significant draw in the WNBA, consistently filling arenas and even causing the league to move games to larger venues to accommodate her massive following. This season, the Las Vegas Aces had to shift their game from the Michelob Ultra Arena to the T-Mobile Arena due to the “Caitlin Clark effect.” Her absence from the Olympic roster is being felt, as she watches the games from afar.
Prominent sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has also weighed in, criticizing the selection committee’s decision not to include Clark and Angel Reese. He highlighted that these players not only possess exceptional skills but also have a unique ability to attract large audiences, which could have helped fill the arenas. Smith pointed out that Clark’s presence has been instrumental in boosting interest in women’s basketball, both during her college career at Iowa and now in the WNBA.
Despite the USA Women’s Basketball team’s dominant performance in their opening game against Japan, where they won 102-76, the game drew the smallest crowd among the opening women’s basketball games at the Paris Olympics. Only 13,000 fans attended, compared to over 20,000 for four of the six other opening games. This low turnout has sparked criticism and questions about the impact of Clark and Reese’s absence on attendance.
Data shows that the WNBA All-Star game, which featured Clark, set a record with 3.4 million viewers, marking a 300% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the Indiana Fever, Clark’s team, leads the WNBA in attendance, averaging over 16,000 fans per game—4,000 more than the next closest team.
The exclusion of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has undeniably affected the viewership and attendance for the USA Women’s Basketball games at the Olympics. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering what could have been if these star players had been included in the roster. As the Olympics continue, the team faces the challenge of drawing fans without their biggest stars, highlighting the significant role that individual players play in the popularity and success of the sport.
With the WNBA looking to expand its media deals and potentially add another billion dollars to its $2.2 billion media deal, the presence of players like Caitlin Clark could be crucial in achieving these goals. For now, the USA Women’s Basketball team must contend with the reality of their decision and its impact on their Olympic journey.
