Caitlin Clark’s Impact on the Atlanta Dream’s Record-Breaking Crowd
The “Caitlin Clark effect” was in full swing on Monday as the Atlanta Dream took on the Indiana Fever, drawing an impressive 17,608 fans to State Farm Arena, setting a new record for the most-attended WNBA game in Georgia. The fans showed up in force, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
For Clark, this kind of response from fans is becoming the norm. Beyond her ability to break records on the court, the 22-year-old consistently fills arenas and drives up viewership numbers.
Interestingly, when teams host the Fever, the home-court advantage can feel diminished because of the massive support Clark draws. Asked whether playing in larger venues like State Farm Arena gives her team an edge, Clark didn’t sugarcoat her thoughts.
“I don’t think it gives us an advantage, I think we’re used to it,” she said after Indiana’s 84-79 win, per Malik Brown of ClutchPoints. “If anything, it fires them up. This is their home crowd, their home court. You want to defend your turf, just like we do when we’re at home.
“But no crowd intimidates us. Honestly, it feels like they’re there for good basketball, cheering for both teams. It’s a high-energy environment, but we’re seasoned in these settings.”
Monday’s matchup against the Dream exemplified Clark’s point. While the home crowd was there to back the Dream, there’s no denying that many were there to see Clark in action.
Clark has a unique talent for turning road games into near-home games for the Fever. If that’s not changing the game, what is?
