Caitlin Clark's WNBA debut has ignited unprecedented betting interest, smashing records set during last season's championship series, and boosting overall betting activity in the league.
Caitlin Clark's arrival in the WNBA has sent shockwaves through the betting landscape, with her impact evident in the staggering betting numbers recorded during her debut game. The game between Indiana Fever, who drafted Clark as the No. 1 overall pick, and Connecticut Sun drew more bets than any other game in the entire 2023 WNBA season. More remarkably, the Fever-Sun matchup garnered six times more betting action than the previous high-water mark for WNBA betting: Game 4 of the 2022 WNBA Finals.
The surge in betting activity is not confined to the Fever's games. Preseason games, despite not counting towards the regular season, have witnessed a significant jump in betting volume compared to 2022. Total bets were up by an astonishing 385%, while the total amount wagered increased by 140%.
Clark's popularity has translated into overwhelming support in individual betting markets. She commands 63% of MVP bets and 46% of MVP money at Caesars Sports, despite being a rookie. A'ja Wilson remains the favorite for MVP, but Clark's impressive resume at Iowa has made her the third choice.
The interest in Clark extends to other betting markets as well. Indiana Fever, her new team, has attracted 23% of all WNBA championship bets, second only to the two-time defending champion Aces. The Fever are the fifth choice to win the title, according to Caesars' odds.
Beyond Clark, a strong rookie class featuring Angel Reese and Cameron Brink has further contributed to the heightened betting interest in the WNBA. Their talent and potential have boosted overall league betting volume, with experts predicting that this season will witness record-breaking handle.
Craig Mucklow, Caesars Sports vice president of trading, anticipates weekly betting records to be shattered, particularly during the WNBA's prime-time TV slots after the NBA Finals conclude. David Lieberman, lead pro basketball trader at Caesars, confirms the upswing in betting attention across multiple WNBA teams.
Patrick Everson, a respected sports betting analyst, maintains that Clark's impact on betting is multifaceted, with her individual accolades and team's fortunes contributing to the surge in activity. He notes that even with Clark's presence, Indiana faces significant challenges in a competitive 12-team league.
The WNBA's rise in prominence in the betting scene is attributed to a combination of factors: Clark's extraordinary talent, a strong rookie class, and the continued growth of women's sports. As the season progresses, the expectation is for betting records to continue falling and for the WNBA to establish itself as a major force in the sports betting industry.
