The WNBA Finals are supposed to be the pinnacle of women’s basketball — the most intense, highly anticipated games of the year. But this season, the league’s championship series is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. As the Las Vegas Aces prepare to take on the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals opener, fans were stunned to see ticket prices crash to as low as $35 — a fraction of what many expected. And they’re all pointing fingers at one glaring reason: Caitlin Clark isn’t there.

On social media, frustration and disbelief poured in from fans who couldn’t help but notice how the absence of the Indiana Fever star was affecting demand. “Would be $350 if Caitlin Clark was in the finals,” one fan wrote, summing up the sentiment of many. Others were even more blunt: “No Clark, no buzz. This is embarrassing for the league.”

It’s a stark contrast to the regular season and playoffs, where Clark’s games consistently sold out arenas and drove record-breaking TV ratings. The rookie phenom transformed the Fever into one of the league’s biggest draws, and her matchups regularly commanded ticket prices north of $200 — even for nosebleed seats. Now, with the Finals underway and Clark watching from home, the sudden dip in interest has reignited a larger debate about the league’s marketing and star power problem.

Critics say the WNBA hasn’t done enough to capitalize on the unprecedented momentum Clark brought this season. “They want to push narratives that don’t include Caitlin, and this is the result,” one user posted. “You can’t build hype around players people don’t want to watch.” Others argued that the Finals matchup, while featuring talented rosters, simply doesn’t have the same cultural pull. “Aces vs. Mercury is great basketball, but Clark brought in casuals — the people who spend money and grow the game,” another fan explained.

This ticket price drop is more than just a number — it’s a reflection of Clark’s undeniable impact. Throughout her rookie year, she shattered viewership records, boosted merchandise sales, and brought unprecedented attention to the league. Every arena she played in saw spikes in attendance, and broadcasters frequently highlighted her influence on ratings. Her absence from the Finals is now casting a harsh light on how dependent the WNBA has become on its newest star.

Even some players and analysts are beginning to acknowledge the “Clark effect” — the reality that one player’s presence or absence can dramatically shift the landscape of the league. “Love it or hate it, she moves the needle,” a former WNBA coach told a local radio show. “When she’s not on the court, everything — from ticket sales to TV numbers — takes a hit.”

The conversation also raises uncomfortable questions about the WNBA’s growth strategy. Is the league doing enough to cultivate other stars and storylines? Can it sustain momentum without relying so heavily on one player? And most importantly, how does it convert the surge of new fans Clark brought into long-term supporters of the game?

For now, the Finals will still showcase elite talent — MVP-level performances, championship intensity, and storylines worth following. But the fact remains: a Finals ticket that once might have cost hundreds now goes for the price of a dinner out. And for many fans, that tells the story better than any statistic.

Whether Caitlin Clark is watching from her couch or preparing for next season, one thing is clear — her influence isn’t going away. The question is whether the WNBA can rise to the challenge of building on the momentum she created, or if it will keep learning the hard way just how much she means to the game.