Disney+ to Stream Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Debut As First Live Sporting Event

May 7, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

If you think Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s rise over the last four years—from Des Moines-area high school basketball star to one of the most transcendent college athletes ever—has been the stuff of Disney movies, you are not alone.

Disney+ will debut in the live sports space next Tuesday by airing Clark’s WNBA regular season debut, ESPN told The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday.

The Fever are slated to open their season against the Connecticut Sun, one of four games scheduled for the league’s first day. A second matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces will also air on Disney+.

These two games will be the first traditional live sporting events to air on Disney+, barring a pair of themed animated telecasts of NFL and NHL games.

Clark was selected with the No. 1 pick by Indiana in the WNBA draft out of Iowa on April 15, part of a heralded rookie class that includes Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink.

1 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Caitlin Clark’s First Professional Trading Card Sells For $10,000

Caitlin Clark is now taking over the sports memorabilia industry. After dominating college basketball for the last couple years she was taken first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Now her first professional card, which is part of Panini's 2024 Instant WNBA Draft Night series, sold for $10,000 according to Darren Rovell's cllct.

"The Clark Blue Viper 1/1 Auto ranks as the sixth-most expensive recorded sale of a card for the Iowa superstar. It was sold in a Dutch Auction format, with the price dropping every five minutes until the product sells out. Because of heavy interest in Clark collectibles, no drop was needed to find a buyer.

In addition to the 1/1 $10,000 card, Panini also sold other variations of Clark cards, ranging from a base card, which was priced at $9.99, to a non-autographed variant of the Blue Viper 1/1 card, which sold within minutes for $3,000."

This is just the latest indication of Clark's lasting impression on women's basketball in the sports landscape. The ratings for the women's NCAA tournament were borderline unbelievable. Then 2.45 million people tuned in to the WNBA draft to see Clark get drafted. But people shelling out serious money for trading cards is an investment. According to cllct Angel Reese and Cameron Brink also had cards go for four figures.

With Indiana Fever tickets selling fast and for record prices, it's not a question of if the WNBA will see a ratings bump, but exactly how big will it be?

2 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Angel Reese Earns WNBA Fine for Not Speaking to Media After Fever Game

Saturday's Indiana Fever 71–70 win over the Chicago Sky caused quite a stir on and off the court.

Sky's Chennedy Carter fouled Fever star Caitlin Clark hard and was originally issued an away-from-ball foul, but it was later changed to a Flagrant 1 after WNBA review. After this hard foul, Sky rookie Angel Reese was seen applauding for her teammate. This on-court moment sparked some controversy on social media.

Reese did not speak to media after the game, and the league fined her $1,000 for failing to attend media sessions. Additionally, the Sky organization was find $5,000 for not making all players available for media.

In other Fever-Sky news, Chicago rookie Angel Reese has been fined $1,000 for failing to make herself available for interviews yesterday.
The Chicago Sky have also been fined $5,000 for not upholding media policies. pic.twitter.com/U1xTMzcrGb
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) June 2, 2024

Fever coach Christie Sides was not happy with the foul, and she even posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, asking for something to be done about fouls like this.

Clark and Reese's names have been intertwined since the two faced each other in the NCAA tournament final in 2023 when Reese's LSU Tigers beat Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes. The two emphasize constantly how there isn't beef between them, but this moment on Saturday caused a social media frenzy regarding the two star rookies, making fans question what the relationship is between them.

31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Caitlin Clark Talks Smack, Gets Technical After Nailing Three-Pointer vs. Storm

There have been plenty of people making a run at Caitlin Clark during her rookie season in the WNBA, as defenses hone in on the Indiana Fever's star guard as the focal point of their defensive game plan.

Clark hasn't been one to back down from the competition, however, and after draining a big three-pointer against the Seattle Storm on Thursday night, she could be seen getting face-to-face with one of her opponents.

While walking back on defense after her deep three, Clark could be seen jawing back and forth with Storm's Victoria Vivians. The pair got up close and in each other's faces before Aliyah Boston swooped in and pulled her teammate out of the situation.

SPICY CAITLIN CLARK HAS ARRIVED 🌶️🚨
pic.twitter.com/FtZ8VaLYpL
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 30, 2024

Clark didn't look too pleased with Vivians as she turned to head back down the court, and they appeared to bump shoulders before being separated.

Officials assessed Vivians and Clark with double technical fouls and play resumed shortly after. Thursday's incident marks the second technical of the season for Indiana's prized rookie, having picked up her first in a game against the Connecticut Sun on May 20.

US Sports News

Disney+ to Stream Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Debut As First Live Sporting Event

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Jimm Sallivan