Caitlin Clark is changing the game in ways that go far beyond the court. As the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare to retire her iconic No. 22 jersey on February 2, 2025, ticket prices for the event have surged to unprecedented levels. In stark contrast, Paige Bueckers, whose return to UConn was meant to rejuvenate the program, finds herself struggling to generate the same buzz. The price disparity between Clark’s jersey retirement game and UConn’s matchup later that month tells a compelling story about the shifting landscape of women’s basketball.

In a recent episode of the HotMic with Hutton & Withrow podcast, Jonathan Hutton highlighted the fever pitch surrounding Iowa basketball. “You can get in for $25 on up, but come February 2, Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement, the starting price is $446,” Hutton said.

This game, which will see the No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes face No. 7 USC, is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated of the season. The announcement of Clark’s jersey retirement has pushed ticket prices to new heights, with some reselling for as much as $2,243.

The buzz around Clark’s jersey retirement is a direct reflection of her unprecedented influence on women’s basketball. Chad Withrow remarked, “All 15,000 season tickets have sold out for the second consecutive season. Sold out, that means you got to increase that price.” The fervor for Clark is undeniable, and it’s no surprise given her record-breaking career at Iowa. She holds the all-time Division I scoring record with 3,951 career points, has the highest career points per game average in women’s Division I history at 28.4, and holds the record for most career 3-pointers (548). Her achievements have made her a household name, and her legacy is being cemented with each passing day.

The price difference between Iowa’s February game and UConn’s upcoming match in January is stark. Withrow pointed out that there’s a $403 difference in the lowest ticket prices between the two events. While UConn’s matchup against Iowa on January 22, 2025, has tickets starting at $43, Iowa’s game against USC on February 2 sees prices beginning at $446. This surge in ticket prices for Clark’s jersey retirement is symbolic of her growing influence and the huge demand for a chance to witness history.

But what does this ticket price surge say about Bueckers’ legacy?

Clark’s legacy Surpasses Bueckers’ stardom

Bueckers, who was expected to lead UConn back to the top after a series of injuries in the 2022-23 season, and redshirting later on is currently the No. 1 pick for the WNBA draft. Yet, despite her immense talent and star power, the buzz surrounding her return to UConn has not had the same impact as Clark’s presence at Iowa.

While Bueckers continues to be a major figure in women’s basketball, Clark’s combination of on-court dominance and off-court persona has set her apart in ways that few could have predicted.

Clark’s influence transcends the NCAA. After being selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she went on to have a spectacular rookie season with the Indiana Fever, where she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game.

Her performance set a new WNBA record for single-season assists (337) and rookie scoring (769 points). Recently, she was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year, a testament to her impact not just in basketball but in the wider sports world. Meanwhile, Iowa, despite being without Clark for the moment, continues to build a strong team that remains a contender for the NCAA Tournament.

As Bueckers looks to prove herself in the WNBA, Clark’s jersey retirement game will be a defining moment for Iowa. The $403 ticket price gap between Iowa and UConn games reflects a much larger narrative: Caitlin Clark is shaping the future of women’s basketball in ways that even the most accomplished players, like Bueckers, are still striving to match.