When Caitlin Clark shows up, people tune in — even when she's not on the basketball court. The Indiana Fever superstar's recent stint as celebrity guest picker on ESPN's College GameDay proved once again that she's a ratings magnet.
ESPN announced Tuesday that the Week 5 episode, which aired last Saturday and previewed the Ohio State-Iowa clash, averaged 2.9 million viewers. That's the highest number for any episode this season and the biggest October audience in the show's history. The network also noted that overall viewership for the season is up 6% compared to last year's average.
But the real spike came at the end. The final segment of the show, where Clark made her picks, drew a whopping 3.7 million viewers. Fans clearly tuned in just to see the Fever guard's predictions — and, of course, her reaction when things didn't go as planned.
Clark promised she'd go a perfect 10-0 with her selections, but college football proved to be a tougher opponent than any WNBA defense. She missed on Iowa over Ohio State and Mississippi State over Alabama, finishing the day with a 5-5 record.
While her picking prowess might not earn her a spot in a broadcast booth anytime soon, her star power is undeniable. This isn't the first time Clark's presence has moved the needle — her college career at Iowa shattered viewership records, and her arrival in the WNBA brought a surge of attention to the league. Even her recent misleading headline controversy showed how much eyes follow her every move.
The ratings boost also comes amid some controversy over the show's Week 5 picks, but Clark's appearance clearly overshadowed any backlash. It's a reminder that in the world of sports media, star power still sells.
Clark's crossover appeal has been a hot topic, especially as her WNBA teammates have felt the burn of her spotlight. But on Saturday, she used that spotlight to bring a little extra excitement to the college football pregame scene.
As for her 5-5 record? Well, she's probably used to winning more than losing. But even a .500 day couldn't dim the glow of a record-setting broadcast.
