The WNBA is on the rise and the numbers are proof of that. Just within one month of this season, the league has experienced immense growth in various aspects. At the center of it all is another huge advancement in the skill sets that the rookie class has brought. And hardly many would argue that Caitlin Clark sits on the throne for rookies. A week after Monica McNutt made headlines for her take on the whole Caitlin Clark effect on ESPN’s First Take, she has now found one thing about the conversations correct. However, she does not agree with all of the narratives surrounding the rookie.

When talking to Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, McNutt confessed, “The eyeballs and the growth is better for all involved. I mean, frankly, Jon, like Caitlin Clark got me here, right? You know what I mean?” Praising the rookie more, the NY Knicks Radio analyst added, “Caitlin Clark is a tremendous competitor. (She) said it herself, ‘That’s the toughest team to make.'”

Summing up Clark’s comments on not being selected in the final Olympics roster, McNutt said, “She can say that, and she can also feel as if something in her has been awoken in terms of making that a goal of her. I know this is not a thing in sports. We gotta remember that two things can be true. She’s been great for the league. But there were 144 women prior to her and this class that had gotten this thing up to year 28.”

The ESPN sports analyst came into the spotlight when she pointed out a crucial fact. While Stephen A. Smith said that his show talks about women’s sports the most, McNutt said that it only began since Caitlin Clark came into the discussions. Since there is so much talk about this rookie class’s potential, let us see WNBA’s new data.

How have Caitlin Clark and the 2024 rookie class impacted the WNBA numbers?

Many are calling the 2024 rookie class the best ever. These young women are not just talented on the floor but are also raising the league’s bar in advertisement, discussions, sales, and social media platforms. While Diana Taurasi credits the millionaire owners for the growth, the WNBA’s recently published list begs to differ. According to the report, attendance in WNBA games has boosted by 156% from last year. More than half of the games have sold out arenas and making history in terms of fan following with arenas filled to 94% capacity.

Adding more is the traction that the televised games are gaining. The numbers here are triple to last year’s average. Fans are also interested in buying merch for the teams and players this year. They have pushed the sales up by a whopping 756% compared to last year. The WNBA’s League Pass has also skyrocketed with 380% more subscriptions than last year.

While these numbers surely prove the greatness of the league, how has the rookie class affected that remains the big question. Many would agree that the answer to this is the impact of their mere presence. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, for instance, are always under a lens. They have not only excited the fans in the arenas through their fierce competitiveness, but they have also given them something to look forward to off the court. Similar is the case with the rest of the rookies, who have only spent a month in this league but are already fan favorites.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.