No one can deny the incredible growth the WNBA has experienced this year. The millions in viewership counts, topping social media engagement charts among all leagues, and sold-out stadiums speak volumes. Brand analyst Ellyn Briggs captured the moment, saying, “It’s rare that a sports league ever makes any type of ranking that we put out… We’ve certainly never had a women’s pro league.” Yet, the WNBA’s winning streak is far from over and fans have a name for the driving factor — Caitlin Clark.

According to a new report from Morning Consult, a data analytics firm that tracks consumer perceptions daily, no brand’s reputation grew more in 2024 than the WNBA’s. “Another W for the W,” the Boardroom says. “The W is on top as the No. 1 fastest-growing brand among all US adults, with notable growth among men and older generations.”

The league’s purchasing consideration rate among U.S. adults climbed to 16.7%, a modest number on its own but a significant leap of 3.82%, making it the largest overall gain. From men to baby boomers, from individuals earning less than $50K annually to those making over $100K, consumer interest in the league is on the rise.

Morning Consult even reports that, “the league proved such a consistently trending topic that most major publishers are now making significant investments to build out dedicated WNBA coverage.”

Many names have contributed to the success throughout the season. The rookie class of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, and more, brought in a wide audience. The rivalry between the former two then kept the audience hooked, while A’ja Wilson stunned with her career-best performance, and the Olympic team, full of W talent, dominated the global stage.

But if some fans were to pick out a name for a major contribution, it is the No. 1 pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. Her magnetic presence has drawn fans from her collegiate stardom into WNBA arenas, eager to witness her dominance live. As soon as news of the WNBA’s achievement broke, fans flooded social media with their thoughts.

Is Caitlin Clark the reason for the unprecedented growth of the WNBA?

Unsurprisingly, they couldn’t stop talking about the “Caitlin Clark effect.” One Instagram user wrote, “Thank you to @caitlinclark22, hope that @wnba will realize that!!!” And they’re not entirely wrong—Clark has been responsible for an astounding 26% of the WNBA’s economic activity this season, including attendance, TV viewership, and merchandise sales.

“CC Effect = WNBA 🚀,” another fan added. And the stats back it up. One out of every six tickets sold in WNBA arenas this season can be attributed to Caitlin Clark. Fever games alone accounted for 45% of the league’s total broadcast value, with Clark’s presence boosting total WNBA TV viewership by an unbelievable 300%.

So fans continued to heap praise: “Caitlin Clark is the business,” wrote one user, while another added, “The W needs to thank Caitlin.” Fever games broke records, averaging 17,036 fans per game, with a total season attendance of 340,715—a testament to the arrival of the 22-year-old Iowa native.

And if you think the numbers stop there, think again. Clark’s regular-season games averaged 1.2 million viewers—over 200% more than WNBA games in which she didn’t play. It’s safe to say Caitlin Clark is more than a player; she’s a phenomenon driving the WNBA’s meteoric rise. “The Caitlin Clark effect 👏👏,” summed up one fan.

But some are here for the overall growth it has been for the league. “Good to see the WNBA at the top of the list,” and “DUB FOR THE DUB! #W,” a few conveyed as applause made up rest of the appreciation. It is indeed a win for the W at the end of the day.