The Caitlin Clark Effect On Business Is More Than March Madness

    Caitlyn Clark is the most prolific college girls' basketball player ever. The impact she has had on women's basketball is similar to that of Steph Curry, but she has impacted much more than just how the game is played for women. Economically, two states, with little in common, have tremendously benefited from the Caitlin Clark effect – Iowa and Indiana. In Iowa, Clark's home state, she has generated a tremendous amount of money, as it says in the article, "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." The article also goes on to say that attendance at home conference games in 2023-24 was about 2.8 times greater than the year before Clark arrived in Iowa City. In addition, this season nearly 15 percent of fans traveled from out of state, an increase of about five percentage points from the pre-Clark era. But it doesn't end in the regular season, with March Madness upon us, you know Clark's effect is still in full swing, ticket prices for Iowa women's tournament games are more than 50% more expensive than the average men’s tournament ticket price, at $390 and $192.

    Clark declared for the WNBA draft this year, Indiana obtained the first overall pick, and the Indiana Fevers ticket prices have jumped up 133% from last year’s $60 average to $140. The Fevers home opener ticket price has also skyrocketed to over $400 before Clark has even stepped on a professional court. One draft declaration has allowed the franchise to make an economic rebound, in addition to a supply chain surge, serving as a double bonus. 

link: The Caitlin Clark Effect On Business Is More Than March Madness (forbes.com)