If you still have doubts about the impact Caitlin Clark has on college basketball, look no further than the upcoming women’s basketball tournament in Minneapolis next month. The Big Ten tournament is almost sold out, thanks to Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana. Only 1,500 tickets are left for the entire tournament, including the games in which Caitlin Clark will not be playing. The early games will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.
What we have witnessed in the past few seasons is truly extraordinary, especially after last year’s final four. Fans of Ohio State and Indiana are eager to see their teams face Iowa in the postseason, which has led to a high demand for tickets at the Target Center. Iowa’s guard made history by breaking the NCAA women’s all-time scoring record in front of a packed crowd, scoring 49 points in a win against Michigan.
It’s not surprising that fans would travel to Minnesota to witness the Caitlin Clark phenomenon in person, which greatly benefits the local economy. Having one of the best female athletes play in downtown Minneapolis has also attracted local fans to purchase tickets. If you want to attend the Big Ten championship game, be prepared to pay over $200 for tickets on the secondary market. As of Tuesday night, Stubhub is offering two lower-bowl tickets for $186 each.
But the expenses don’t stop there. Fans will also need to spend a significant amount of money to stay near the Target Center. According to Expedia, most hotels within walking distance of the venue are charging over $325 per night, excluding taxes.
This is just the latest example of Caitlin Clark’s impact on the venues Iowa visits this season. Sold-out crowds have consistently welcomed the Hawkeyes wherever they go. Clark’s influence extends beyond ticket sales. According to Front Office Sports, she has become the top-selling athlete in NIL (name, image, likeness) sales, surpassing Colorado quarterback Sheduer Sanders. A.J. Perez, a reporter, summarized it in his report.
“To surpass Sanders, Clark has achieved the highest total sales since Fanatics started selling college gear branded with athletes’ names in 2022, one year after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in the NCAA vs. Alston case, which led to the first NIL guidelines.”
“Fanatics reported that the merchandise that propelled Clark to the top included a T-shirt featuring the slogan “You break it, you own it,” which Nike showcased on social media after Clark set the scoring record.”
Caitlin Clark has already made a name for herself in various categories. If Iowa makes it to the Final Four once again, potentially facing teams like South Carolina and LSU, this could be one of the most profitable seasons in women’s basketball history.
The Buckeyes’ fans in Cleveland, Ohio, are fervently supporting their team’s journey to the Final Four, which would attract thousands of Ohio State fans. However, they are aware that if Iowa reaches the championship weekend, it could become one of the most memorable events in history.
Hotels within a four-mile radius of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland are currently priced at over $500 per night, even though the Final Four is still over a month away.
It’s unfortunate that Cleveland doesn’t have an indoor football stadium because, considering the potential lineup for the Final Four, it could easily sell over 50,000 tickets for the weekend.
The Caitlin Clark effect is undeniable, as evidenced by the ticket office and merchandise sales.
According to the Source outkick.com