Caitlin Clark leaves LeBron James in the dust as incredible financial figures emerge

Caitlin Clark, who won the WNBA's Rookie of the Year award last season, is now predicted to propel the league's economy to unprecedented levels with her star power. And her shirt sales have left NBA great LeBron James in the dust.

Finance educator Ryan Brewer suggests that Clark was responsible for 26.5 percent of the WNBA's economic success last season, earning All-WNBA and All-Rookie honours, an All-Star appearance, and the league assist crown. He believes that thanks to the Fever star, the league could surpass the billion-dollar mark for the first time after 2025.

Brewer told NBC News: "If things just go as they were, and we have an expanded season of 22 home games with modest inflation, I'm looking at $875 [million]. And I could easily see that eclipsing a billion dollars on the economic impact of Caitlin Clark this year."

Brewer's research takes into account league attendance, which has already reportedly increased by 37 percent from last year's historic season. He also considered ticket resales, media coverage, jersey sales, and the value of the fanbase driven by 'The Caitlin Clark effect,' Last season, the Fever averaged 17,035 fans per home game, drawing more spectators than the Indiana Pacers, who share Gainbridge Fieldhouse as their home ground.

When the Fever don their all-red kit as a visiting team, the average ticket price soars by 140 percent. Her No. 22 jersey in particular remains the second best-selling basketball jersey on Fanatics across the entire platform, trailing only Steph Curry, and is by far the top-selling WNBA jersey. The players following Curry and Clark to complete the top five on the list are Jalen Brunson, Jayson Tatum, and LeBron James.

Last year, Sportico valued the Fever franchise at $90 million, ranking it the sixth highest in the league. Brewer believes that Clark has single-handedly pushed that closer to $340 million, to the extent that the entire city of Indianapolis could rake in an additional $41 million simply by her presence in the city.

The WNBA, primarily owned by the NBA, will commence the first year of an 11-year, £2.2 billion media rights deal in 2026. This agreement will triple the league's existing TV revenue and see games broadcast on NBC channels and streaming services on Amazon, Disney platforms, and more.

Clark is widely regarded as the player most instrumental in aiding the league's growth, along with her 2024 WNBA draftmate Angel Reese.

Despite Clark leading the Fever in scoring this season with an average of 19.3 points per game, the team has struggled to gain traction. After kicking off 2025 with a resounding 93-58 victory over the Chicago Sky, the team has alternated between losses and wins, starting the year with a 2-2 record.

The Fever are set to return to the court next Friday against the winless Connecticut Sun, following a narrow 90-88 defeat to the New York Liberty on Saturday. In the loss, Clark achieved her 17th career double-double and made history as the quickest player in WNBA to accumulate over 750 points, 250 rebounds, and 250 assists.