Soon after Caitlin Clark announced her plans to enter the WNBA draft, 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 said in a statement to The Associated Press. “The organization has also seen the enthusiasm lead to a spike in ticket inquiries.”
[Sports world reacts to Caitlin Clark declaring for WNBA]
The Fever wouldn’t disclose how many tickets they’ve sold. Still, getting Iowa star Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the 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 resembled the excitement around Clark being drafted No. 1 was the team’s run to the WNBA title in 2012.
Clark has set numerous records this season as a senior for the Hawkeyes and is on the verge of becoming the top-scoring player in men’s or women’s NCAA history.
[Watch Caitlin Clark chase Pete Maravich’s record, Sunday on FOX]
She has…