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REVEALED: Caitlin Clark sends WNBA ratings plummeting as fans tune out after her rookie season ends

REVEALED: Caitlin Clark sends WNBA ratings plummeting as fans tune out after her rookie season ends

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Television ratings for this season's WNBA playoffs have plummeted following the exit of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever last week.

Clark's rookie season came to an end when the Fever suffered their second straight loss at the Connecticut Sun last Wednesday, eliminating them from the playoffs in the first round.

A record-breaking WNBA audience of 2.54 million viewers watched the 22-year-old's season come to an end in Connecticut, while a record 1.84 million viewers watched the first game of the series on September 22nd.

But with Indiana no longer participating in the competition, the first weekend of WNBA playoff games without Clark failed to generate the same interest.

The first semifinal showdown between the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces — two of the league's most popular and successful teams — drew just 929,000 viewers, according to ESPN (via Fox News).

REVEALED: Caitlin Clark sends WNBA ratings plummeting as fans tune out after her rookie season ends

The elimination of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in the playoffs has led to a decline in WNBA ratings

That number is 50 percent lower than the Fever's Game 1 against the Sun, who also had an NFL Sunday to compete with.

While it may not match Clark's numbers, Liberty and the Aces' opening semifinal clash actually drew more spectators than any other final match between the two teams last season.

Meanwhile, Game 1 of the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun semifinals had around 650,000 viewers.

Both semifinal games also fell well short of a number of Clark's regular season games in terms of attendance; The Fever's matchup against the Lynx drew 1.26 million viewers last month.

This game was also played on the same evening and at the same time as a Week 1 NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers.

Clark, one of the most decorated college athletes of all time, has brought unprecedented attention to women's basketball since her promotion to the WNBA this year.

A record-breaking WNBA viewership of 2.54 million watched Clark and the Fever's loss to The Sun

A record-breaking WNBA viewership of 2.54 million watched Clark and the Fever's loss to The Sun

The first semifinal showdown between the Liberty and the Aces was watched by just 929,000 viewers

The first semifinal showdown between the Liberty and the Aces was watched by just 929,000 viewers

It made the Fever the most-watched WNBA team by far, with the season's top 14 TV viewers all coming from Indiana.

The former Iowa sensation was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Year after an incredible debut season in the big leagues.

She averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and led the league with 8.4 assists per game. Clark also led the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016.

In the season-ending loss to the Sun, the Fever superstar scored 25 points and added nine assists and six rebounds. She also walked away with another record after becoming the first rookie ever to go 25-5-5 in the postseason.

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