NEWSLETTER
As we’ve seen through two matchups already this season, people will watch when the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever play each other.
Sunday’s matchup, the second of the season between the two rivals, proved that in a big way. CBS Sports released a statement saying that Sunday’s Sky vs Fever game was the most viewed WNBA game on ANY network in 23 years!
The broadcast drew an average viewership of 2.25 million, per the network. It peaked at 3.0 million viewers.
Chicago Sky & Indiana Fever Rivalry
The Sky and Fever have played two highly competitive games thus far, but the Fever have come out on top in both. The two games have seen Caitlin Clark overcome some hard fouls, which has fueled the rivalry even further.
Clark and Sky rookie forward Angel Reese have a rivalry dating back to their college days. Two years ago, Reese’s LSU Tigers beat Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes for the NCAA Title. Last year, Clark’s Hawkeyes got revenge by taking down Reese and LSU in the Elite Eight.
Reese and Clark have established themselves as two of the biggest names in the WNBA thanks to their college success, draft position, and early performance in the WNBA. The fact that they play for teams in the same division and appear to be centerpieces of their respective teams for the years to come means that this rivalry should only intensify going forward. While Sunday’s game may have set the current viewership record, the intensity of this rivalry likely means it will not be the last time we talk about a Sky vs Fever game setting a new standard.
The good news is we won’t have to wait too long to find out! The Sky and Fever go at it again this Sunday, June 23rd in Chicago. It will be the first meeting between the two teams this season where the Sky are at home, so I’d expect that to be a pretty fun environment. I would also think – given the drama of the last two games – Sunday’s game will draw some pretty big viewership numbers, as well.
Bring it on!
