The WNBA is heading into the 2025 season with more momentum than ever, and much of it revolves around two of its brightest stars, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky are set to face off five times this season, starting with a much-anticipated opener on Saturday, May 17.
Both players became instant fan favorites in their rookie year, generating excitement that the league hasn’t seen in decades. Now, with the Fever making aggressive offseason moves and the Sky rebuilding with promising young talent, this rivalry is quickly becoming must-watch basketball.
Sue Bird sets the bar high
On a recent episode of A Touch More, her podcast with Megan Rapinoe, four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird shared her bold prediction: their season debut will break viewership records.
“Fever versus Sky? And Caitlin Clark against Angel Reese again? I think we’re going to see 3 million-plus [viewers],” Bird said. “That’s not far-fetched at all.”
She may be right. The Fever’s June 2024 win over the Sky, featuring both rookies, already became the WNBA’s most-watched game in 23 years, drawing an average of 2.25 million viewers and peaking at 3 million.
The new faces of the league
While Clark and Reese are the clear headline-makers, their teams have taken different paths this offseason. Indiana is looking like a serious playoff threat, adding key pieces around Clark to support a deeper run. Chicago, on the other hand, is in a rebuilding phase but has brought in solid names like Paige Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith to complement Reese.
Despite the contrast in team expectations, the personal rivalry between Clark and Reese remains a major draw. Their previous battles-on and off the court-have only intensified interest, and the WNBA is clearly leaning into that narrative.
Expect another ratings boom
With Clark and Reese front and center, and a growing audience that’s eager for marquee matchups, the WNBA is poised to continue its rise. If Bird’s prediction holds true, the league could see its highest viewership yet, and it may only be the beginning of a new era powered by two game-changing athletes.
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