May 20, 2025
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Indiana Fever Announce Major Milestone Amid Caitlin Clark’s Second Season

Indianapolis, IN — Just over a year after drafting Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 overall pick, the Indiana Fever have hit a momentous milestone — one that goes far beyond basketball. In a press conference held inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Fever front office announced that the franchise has achieved its highest revenue total in team history, alongside record-setting attendance, national TV ratings, and corporate partnerships.

The announcement came amid Clark’s second WNBA season, a year in which the once-struggling franchise has gone from rebuilding to rebranding — all with the help of the woman who’s reshaped the landscape of women’s sports.

“This is more than a basketball success story,” said Fever President Allison Barber. “This is a cultural movement. Caitlin Clark has transformed our franchise, our city, and the league. And the results are undeniable — we’re making history, on and off the court.”

Breaking Down the Milestone

The Fever’s major milestone is multi-pronged. According to team officials, here’s what they’ve accomplished just 15 months into the Caitlin Clark era:

  • Highest total revenue in franchise history, fueled by ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorships
  • 10 sellouts in the first 13 home games of the 2025 season
  • A 400% increase in merchandise sales compared to two years ago
  • Fever home games averaging 97% capacity, up from 43% in 2023
  • National TV ratings up 78% from the previous year, with the Fever leading all WNBA teams in viewership
  • A record 13 national broadcast games, the most in franchise history
  • The addition of six new corporate partners, including Fortune 500 companies like Target, Amazon, and Verizon

In short, the Fever have gone from an afterthought to a flagship WNBA franchise — and the team’s second-year superstar is a major reason why.

The Caitlin Clark Effect: Still Surging

When Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA in 2024, she did so with unprecedented fanfare. Her collegiate career at Iowa — where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer (men’s or women’s), earned back-to-back Naismith Player of the Year awards, and led her team to two national title games — was already the stuff of legend. But what she’s done in the pros has elevated her to iconic status.

Now in her sophomore season, Clark has expanded her game and her brand. She leads the WNBA in assists, ranks in the top five in scoring, and continues to dazzle with jaw-dropping logo threes, no-look passes, and the type of court vision rarely seen in the women’s game.

But the numbers are just part of it. Her leadership, poise, and charisma have turned the Fever from a team hoping for better days into one that’s contending for the playoffs and setting the gold standard in fan engagement.

“She’s the real deal,” said Fever head coach Christie Sides. “Caitlin doesn’t just play the game — she elevates everyone around her. And in Year 2, she’s more confident, more composed, and even more electric.”

On the Court: The Fever Are Rolling

While Clark’s rookie year showed flashes of brilliance, her second season has revealed something more: dominance.

Through the first 18 games of the 2025 season, Clark is averaging:

  • 21.4 points per game
  • 9.1 assists per game (leading the WNBA)
  • 5.3 rebounds per game
  • 44% from the field, including 39% from three-point range

She’s already had three triple-doubles, becoming just the second player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season (the other being Sabrina Ionescu).

But the Fever’s success isn’t all about Clark. The franchise has built a formidable roster around her:

  • Aliyah Boston, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, has emerged as a double-double machine in the post.
  • NaLyssa Smith provides scoring versatility and rebounding power.
  • Kelsey Mitchell, a veteran guard, gives the team a much-needed scoring punch and floor spacing.
  • Rookie Celeste Taylor, drafted in 2025, has added perimeter defense and energy off the bench.

The result? Indiana currently sits fourth in the WNBA standings with a 12–6 record and is in the hunt for a first-round playoff bye.

“This is the most exciting Fever team we’ve had in a decade,” said General Manager Lin Dunn. “We’ve got stars. We’ve got chemistry. And most importantly, we’ve got belief.”

The Fans Have Arrived — and Stayed

Fever fans are turning out in droves. In Clark’s rookie season, the Fever sold out multiple home games for the first time since Tamika Catchings’ retirement. In Year 2, it’s become the norm.

Everywhere the Fever go, they sell out road arenas as well. Las Vegas. New York. Chicago. Even markets not traditionally strong in WNBA attendance have seen spikes when Clark comes to town.

  • Average attendance at Fever away games is up 60%
  • Clark’s jersey is the top-selling WNBA jersey for a second straight season
  • Over 250,000 Fever tickets have been sold in 2025 alone — a franchise record

“It’s not just basketball fans,” said Fever VP of Marketing Julian Shaw. “It’s families. It’s young girls. It’s people who have never been to a WNBA game before. Caitlin is creating new fans — and they’re staying.”

The team has leaned into the moment, offering fan zones, youth basketball clinics, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities. The result has been a season ticket renewal rate of 92%, the highest in team history.

A Media and Business Boom

Nationally, the Fever have become the face of a WNBA media renaissance. According to Nielsen data:

  • Fever games average 1.6 million viewers on ESPN, more than double the league average
  • A July 4 showdown vs. the New York Liberty drew 2.3 million viewers — the most-watched WNBA regular season game since 1999
  • Clark has appeared on the cover of TIME, Sports Illustrated, and SLAM Magazine in just the past six months

That media boom has translated into major dollars. The Fever announced six new corporate partnerships this season, including:

  • Target, sponsoring youth development programs
  • Verizon, providing fan tech engagement inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • Amazon, with a branded “Prime Performance” analytics hub
  • State Farm, naming rights partner for the new Fever Training Facility under construction
  • Nike, expanding Clark’s shoe and apparel line to include Fever branding
  • DoorDash, launching local food activations on game days

In total, the Fever have tripled their corporate revenue since Clark’s arrival.

Clark’s Brand Keeps Expanding

Individually, Caitlin Clark’s brand is now one of the most powerful in American sports — regardless of gender.

Forbes recently listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the U.S., with an estimated $15 million in combined earnings from salary, endorsements, and licensing in 2025 alone. Her endorsement portfolio includes:

  • Nike (signature shoe deal)
  • Gatorade
  • State Farm
  • H&R Block
  • Buick
  • Hy-Vee
  • Panini Trading Cards

She’s also launched her own foundation aimed at promoting girls’ access to sports, and her autobiography — “Logo Range: The Caitlin Clark Story” — debuts this fall.

But perhaps most impressively, Clark has remained grounded.

“I play the game because I love it,” she said during a recent sit-down with Robin Roberts. “Everything else — the fame, the money, the cameras — that’s all noise. I’m just trying to be the best teammate, the best leader, and the best version of myself.”

A Statue, a Street, and a Legacy in Motion

Earlier this year, the Fever announced that a bronze statue of Clark will be erected outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse — the first active WNBA player to be honored in this way. The statue will capture her iconic deep-three shooting pose and will stand near the Tamika Catchings monument, uniting two generations of Fever greatness.

The city also recently renamed a stretch of Georgia Street “Caitlin Clark Way”, solidifying her place not just in basketball history but in Indianapolis’ civic identity.

Mayor Joe Hogsett, who attended multiple Fever games this season, summed it up simply:

“Caitlin Clark hasn’t just made basketball better — she’s made this city better.”

What’s Next for the Fever?

With momentum building and the Fever surging in the standings, the next milestone is clear: a deep playoff run.

Indiana hasn’t reached the postseason since 2016. But with Clark’s rapid ascent, Boston’s dominance, and a cohesive, motivated core, expectations are sky-high.

“We’re not satisfied,” Clark said after a recent win over Connecticut. “We’ve come a long way, but we’ve got a long way to go. We’re chasing banners — not just milestones.”

A WNBA title in Year 2? It’s no longer a fantasy — it’s a possibility.

From Hope to History

In just two seasons, Caitlin Clark has reshaped the Indiana Fever’s future, turned Indianapolis into the epicenter of women’s basketball, and set the WNBA on a new trajectory. With every no-look assist and logo three-pointer, she inspires millions. With every sold-out arena, she elevates the business of women’s sports.

And now, with the Fever announcing record-breaking success off the court while climbing toward the top of the standings on it, the message is clear:

Caitlin Clark is not just the face of a franchise — she’s the face of a revolution.

As the Fever look ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, one thing is certain: the movement is only just beginning.

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