With March Madness fully in swing, and the 2024 WNBA draft following shortly after, Clark is not only set to be a force on the hardwood, but an economic one, as well. Two states, with little in common, have tremendously benefited from the Caitlin Clark effect – Iowa and Indiana.
Let’s dive into Clark’s dominant impact both on and off the court.
Helping the Hawkeyes Soar on the Court and In the Bank
In the heartland of America, where cornfields stretch the horizon and basketball reigns supreme, Clark’s personal tie and impact to the state of Iowa transcends the court. Born and raised in West Des Moines, the phenom has drawn attention to the state and basketball program, as hundreds of thousands of hoopers flock to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to see greatness take place in the paint.
Matt McGowan, Daily Iowan, reported on Clark’s impact on an economic scale, one that far surpasses her scoring title, and directly gives back to the place she’s called home.
According to a study by the Common Sense Institute (CSI) Iowa, a nonpartisan research organization that promotes Iowa’s economy, concludes that most of Clark’s career monetary impact results from increased attendance at Iowa women’s basketball home games, which CSI projected to have added between $14.4 million and $52.3 million to the state economy. CSI Board member, Amber Mason Lusson, stated that Clark “exponentially enhanced women’s sports and done more to market the university and state than anyone in recent memory.”
In addition, the study found that attendance at home conference games in 2023-24 was about 2.8 times greater than the year before Clark arrived in Iowa City. This season, nearly 15 percent of fans traveled from out of state, an increase of about five percentage points from the pre-Clark era.
#22 continues this frenzy well into the postseason, as the Hawkeyes claimed the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, with analysts predicting a historic run through March Madness. But the real madness isn’t just on the court, but instead the get-in ticket prices between the women’s and men’s games, with the women’s being more than 50% more expensive than the men’s, at $390 and $192, respectively, as reported by Lindsey Darvin.
No matter the city or state, Hawkeye fans will travel to see Clark in action, bringing their business and (hopefully autographed) jerseys with them. Small and large businesses can prepare themselves for the frenzy through enhanced manufacturing solutions, like SAP Digital Manufacturing, that allows them to shift their production strategies to cater towards those repping the yellow and black.
A Case of the Clark Fever in Indiana
On February 29th, Clark officially declared for the WNBA draft, forgoing her additional eligible season to begin the next chapter in her career. While Iowa City fans had bittersweet feelings, a new wave of cheers emerged from a mere 365 miles away in Indianapolis, Indiana. One may ask how Indiana fits into the picture, and it all has to do with the draft pick that the WNBA team, Indiana Fever, holds this year, and you guessed it, No. 1.
Before even stepping on the court in a Fever jersey, let alone be officially drafted by their team, Clark has already been putting up incredible numbers – 140, 180, and 487, to be exact, according to The Gist. These three numbers may seem to have little to no relevancy or similarity to one another, but are tied together through one in particular, #22.
First, 140, which is the current average price of an Indiana Fever ticket on ticket reseller, Vivid Seats, up 133% from last year’s $60 average.
Next, 180, which is the percentage of how much Fever home page traffic spiked overnight after Clark declared for the 2024 draft.
Lastly, 487, the current get-in price for the Fever’s home opener against the New York Liberty on May 16th.
One draft declaration has allowed the franchise to make an economic rebound, in addition to a supply chain surge, serving as a double bonus. Franchises, like the Fever, and companies alike can utilize solutions like SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain and SAP Business Network Global Track and Trace to better predict and deliver on the supply that Clark is demanding. As her dominance and brand continues to grow, companies need the visibility and agility to keep both virtual and physical shelves stocked with her coveted merchandise.
These are exciting times for women’s sports, and Clark is just a beacon of excellence for what lies ahead for the game of women’s basketball. Cementing herself as a cultural phenom, her presence in the game signals a seismic shift in athletics, and companies now have the power to catch the Clark Fever, but don’t worry, this is one worth catching.
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