Exciting New Season for the New York Liberty: A Close Match Against the Indiana Fever
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NEW YORK – The New York Liberty faced a tough loss in their season opener against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, but head coach Sandy Brondello understands that the significance of such matchups extends beyond mere wins and losses.
The Fever dealt the defending WNBA champions their first defeat of the season, fueled by an outstanding performance from Caitlin Clark. The reigning Rookie of the Year dazzled fans with a season-high 32 points, including seven impressive three-pointers, leading her team to a 102-88 victory. Meanwhile, Sabrina Ionescu also shined for the Liberty, scoring a season-high 34 points.
In a thrilling moment, Caitlin Clark (No. 22) celebrated with fans after sinking a three-pointer during the game held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
According to ESPN, this highly anticipated matchup became the third most-watched WNBA game ever on ABC, attracting an average of 2.2 million viewers. The game even peaked at 2.8 million viewers, marking a remarkable 76% increase compared to last season’s regular-season average on the network.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Dream, Brondello reflected on the impressive viewership numbers. While she expressed a desire for the Liberty to have secured a win, she recognized the importance of reaching a wider audience. "I love it. That’s what we’ve been aiming for since the league started a long time ago," she stated. "It was a great show, and Caitlin put on a fantastic performance."
The game featured New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (No. 20) and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (No. 22) showcasing their skills in a thrilling second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
Basketball legends have praised Caitlin Clark’s impressive three-point shooting, with some saying her performance left them speechless.
Saturday’s remarkable viewership numbers continue a trend that started last season, which saw the WNBA achieve its most-watched regular season in 24 years and its highest attendance in 22 years. This surge in popularity closely aligns with Clark’s debut, during which she set league records for most assists in a season (337) and most assists in a single game (19). Clark also made history as the first rookie to record two triple-doubles and established the single-season rookie records for points and three-pointers made.
The league’s rapid growth is generating ratings that rival those of other major sports leagues across North America. In a recent report, The Athletic noted that the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers averaged viewership numbers between 2.3 and 2.6 million for the first four games of the series, which marked a 25% decrease compared to the previous season.
"The more people can watch our game, the more they’ll fall in love with it because this is the best place in the world," Brondello added.
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