{"id":2679597,"date":"2026-10-09T08:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T12:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wnba-suffers-immediate-downturn-after-caitlin-clark-is-eliminated-from-playoffs\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T08:14:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T12:14:46","slug":"wnba-suffers-immediate-downturn-after-caitlin-clark-is-eliminated-from-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wnba-suffers-immediate-downturn-after-caitlin-clark-is-eliminated-from-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA Suffers Immediate Downturn After Caitlin Clark Is Eliminated from Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwnba-suffers-immediate-downturn-after-caitlin-clark-is-eliminated-from-playoffs%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2679597&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses a decline in WNBA television ratings following the elimination of the Indiana fever and star player Caitlin Clark from the postseason.Ratings dropped significantly after Clark&#8217;s team was ousted, with a reported 55% decrease when the Fever exited, though the decline was somewhat less (44-47%) during semifinals compared to earlier rounds. Sports analysts highlight that if Clark and the Fever had advanced further, it could have boosted league viewership and interest, given their strong playoff ratings. Clark, initially seen as a key figure for the league&#8217;s growth, has faced criticism and opposition, including foul tactics by opponents and controversy over her treatment on the court. Despite this, Clark remains focused on winning and is considering a major contract extension with the Fever, emphasizing her commitment to the team&#8217;s success and her desire to compete for championships.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The WNBA has seen a sharp drop in ratings after Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark\u2019s team was eliminated from the postseason.<\/p>\n<p>USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan, who wrote a book about Clark\u2019s impact on the WNBA, posted on social media about the decline.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA bit of good news for the WNBA: Instead of losing 55% of TV audience when Fever go out (info below), the drop for semis Game 1 vs Game 1 of Fever-Aces a week earlier is 44-47%: 2.11M Fever-Aces ABC, 1.17M Liberty\u2013Dream ABC, 1.12M Aces\u2013Valkyries NBC\/Peacock, All Sun vs NFL games,\u201d she wrote Wednesday on X.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A bit of good news for the WNBA: Instead of losing 55% of TV audience when Fever go out (info below), the drop for semis Game 1 vs Game 1 of Fever-Aces a week earlier is 44-47%:<\/p>\n<p>2.11M Fever-Aces ABC<\/p>\n<p>1.17M Liberty\u2013Dream ABC<\/p>\n<p>1.12M Aces\u2013Valkyries NBC\/Peacock<\/p>\n<p>All Sun vs NFL games<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cbrennansports\/status\/2107888799745458485?\">October 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Brennan was referring to an earlier period from May 28 to June 10 when Clark missed five games and over half the league\u2019s audience vanished, according to Nielsen ratings.<\/p>\n<p>Sports Illustrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/onsi\/womens-fastbreak\/news\/wnba-record-playoff-tv-ratings-shows-cost-of-fever-elimination-caitlin-clark\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">published<\/a> an article on Tuesday stating, \u201cThe WNBA\u2019s first-round playoff TV ratings are impressive, and prove that the Indiana Fever advancing would have been a big win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe bottom line is that Clark and the Fever advancing as deep into the postseason as possible would have been the best possible scenario for the league, in terms of viewership and mainstream interest,\u201d the story read.<\/p>\n<p>The Fever <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wnba\/story\/_\/id\/50069597\/2026-wnba-playoffs-fever-aces-scores-results-takeaways-analysis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lost<\/a> their opening series to the Las Vegas Aces 2-1.<\/p>\n<p>Clark, who was initially seen as a WNBA savior for the financially struggling league, has become a lightning rod for controversy.<\/p>\n<p>Despite Clark\u2019s play and attitude bringing more attention to women\u2019s basketball, she was rewarded with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ex-nfl-quarterback-boomer-esiason-says-everyones-thinking-caitlin-clark-abuse-racial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attacks<\/a> \u2014 on and off the court \u2014 by opposing players.<\/p>\n<p>She has often been flagrantly fouled, poked in the eye, elbowed, and tackled to the ground.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Average WNBA defense on Caitlin Clark \ud83d\ude2d https:\/\/t.co\/fRt1TFUMMi<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BrickCenter_\/status\/2090620763934179427?\">August 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>During the elimination game against the Aces, she <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/caitlin-clark-battered-bloodied-season-ending-loss-cant-get-whistle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">took an elbow<\/a> to the mouth late in the fourth quarter and was forced to leave the game briefly.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Caitlin Clark caught an elbow to the face and was bleeding from the mouth, but no foul was called \ud83d\ude33 https:\/\/t.co\/fhTCaNSCRI<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BleacherReport\/status\/2105865775613649116?\">October 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Clark appeared upset that the officials did not call a foul on the play.<\/p>\n<p>However, she is currently in talks with the Fever for a massive contract extension this offseason, <a href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25508151-caitlin-clark-commits-future-fever-addresses-epic-contract-talks-after-wnba-playoff-loss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">according<\/a> to Bleacher Report.<\/p>\n<p>Clark did not commit to signing the extension while speaking with reporters, but did say that \u201cno matter what I\u2019m going to be here and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u201cNo matter what I\u2019m going to be here and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Caitlin Clark is eligible for the WNBA\u2019s \u201cEPIC\u201d extension, but says building the roster comes first. She says her main goal is to focus on winning, and she hasn\u2019t discussed the extension with the front office yet.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 WISH-TV News (@WISHNews8) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/WISHNews8\/status\/2108199838886003112?\">October 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s my main goal and obviously it\u2019s a really cool opportunity,\u201d she added. \u201cMy focus is on winning.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-of-appeals-in-swing-states-drop-major-ruling-hurting-kamala-harris-chances-against-trump\/\" title=\"Court of Appeals in Swing States ... 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