In recent months, the spotlight on women’s basketball has never been brighter — but it’s also never been more divided. Two of the WNBA’s most high-profile rookies, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, are now at the center of a national conversation, not just for their play on the court, but for their influence off it.

While both players arrived in the league with strong college resumes, media attention, and loyal fan bases, the contrast in their early professional impact — particularly in attendance and fan engagement — is becoming increasingly stark.

Clark’s Fever Sell Out Carver-Hawkeye in 27 Minutes

Caitlin Clark, the former Iowa Hawkeye and NCAA all-time leading scorer, returned to her college home last week for a WNBA preseason game with the Indiana Fever. The demand was unprecedented. All 15,000 tickets to the Carver-Hawkeye Arena were sold out in just 27 minutes.

Fans lined up hours in advance. Tickets on secondary markets reached several hundred dollars — for a preseason exhibition. Celebrities and national media outlets attended. The game wasn’t just a warmup — it was a cultural event.

The Fever routed Brazil 108–44, but the real story was the crowd: wall-to-wall fans, deafening noise levels, and a palpable excitement that’s rare even for NBA arenas in preseason. Clark responded with a highlight-reel performance, including a 36-foot three-pointer from the same spot where she broke the NCAA scoring record just months earlier.

Angel Reese’s Return to LSU Draws Underwhelming Crowd

Meanwhile, Angel Reese, the 2023 NCAA champion with LSU and now a rookie with the Chicago Sky, also returned to her former college home this week. Expectations were high. LSU had once packed arenas for Reese during her collegiate run, and this game was billed as a “homecoming.”

But the numbers tell a different story.

Just 6,373 fans attended the game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center — a venue with a capacity of over 13,000. That’s less than 50% of the arena filled. Entire sections, including the upper bowl, remained closed or sparsely occupied. Tickets were priced as low as $15, yet thousands of seats went unsold.

Social media quickly circulated photos showing empty stands and wide camera angles meant to disguise the turnout. Despite the promotion, despite Reese’s status as a college champion, and despite her strong presence on social media, the fans simply didn’t show.

“People Watch Because of Me Too” – A Claim Under Scrutiny

The numbers have reignited debate over Angel Reese’s past statements about her role in growing women’s basketball. In 2023, she famously said: “People are watching women’s basketball not just because of one person. It’s because of me too.”

That may still hold some truth — Reese’s personality, social presence, and cultural relevance are undeniable. She has millions of followers, brand deals, and a wide influence, especially among Gen Z. But influence online and influence at the box office aren’t always the same.

Reese is learning the hard way that social media clout doesn’t always translate to ticket sales. Her fan base may be large, but how many of them are actually watching her games — or buying tickets?

Caitlin Clark: The Undeniable Needle Mover

On the other side of the equation is Caitlin Clark. From college arenas to WNBA venues, she’s filling seats. The Indiana Fever have had to move games to larger arenas to meet the demand. Her games are consistently among the most-watched, both in person and on television. Fans are not just buying tickets — they’re traveling across states to see her.

Clark doesn’t need to say she’s moving the needle. The numbers — and the sold-out arenas — say it for her.

More Than One Star, But Not All Stars Are Equal

None of this is to suggest that Angel Reese isn’t important to the WNBA or women’s sports. She’s charismatic, competitive, and a proven winner. But the early data shows a wide gap between public perception and measurable impact — especially when it comes to live attendance and direct fan engagement.

As one WNBA executive anonymously told The Athletic: “Angel is good for the culture. Caitlin is changing the economics.”

The Bigger Picture: A League at a Crossroads

What this all reveals is that women’s basketball is at a turning point. Fans are more engaged than ever. Coverage is growing. Debates about stardom, impact, and value are part of the league’s new normal. That’s progress.

But progress also comes with reality checks.

Caitlin Clark is, without question, the biggest individual draw the WNBA has seen in years — maybe ever. She’s bringing new fans, record viewership, and real revenue to the game. That doesn’t diminish the accomplishments or influence of other players — but it does mean that comparisons should be rooted in facts, not just feelings.

For Angel Reese, that might mean recalibrating expectations and continuing to build on what she already brings to the table. There’s room for multiple stars — but only one has sold out every arena she’s played in.