Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese: A Tale of Two Stars and the Business of Basketball

The Chicago Sky recently announced that two of their 2025 home games against the Indiana Fever will be moved from their regular venue, Wintrust Arena, to the United Center—an arena that holds over 21,000 fans. This marks the first time WNBA games will be played at the United Center, the largest basketball arena in the country. While on the surface this might seem like a celebration of women’s basketball’s rising popularity, a deeper look reveals a narrative defined by disparity, driven by one name: Caitlin Clark.

Angel Reese, the Sky’s rookie forward and one of the most talked-about players in the league, has not hidden her frustration. After the venue change was announced, she questioned the decision: “Why are only Caitlin Clark’s games being held at the United Center?” It’s a fair question—especially considering that none of the other Sky games, even those featuring Reese, have been moved to a larger venue.

The uncomfortable truth? The answer lies in ticket sales, fan interest, and bottom-line economics. Caitlin Clark isn’t just a rookie; she’s a business phenomenon.

The Caitlin Clark Effect

Last season, Clark helped the Indiana Fever shatter the WNBA’s attendance records, bringing in nearly 341,000 fans—a franchise record and a massive 36% increase over the previous high. On the road, Clark’s presence consistently boosted attendance, with many arenas selling out or moving games to larger venues to accommodate the surge in demand. For teams that historically struggled to fill seats, her arrival was a financial windfall.

Compare that to the Sky’s attendance during Angel Reese’s rookie season. Wintrust Arena, which holds just over 10,000 fans, remained their home for every game—even those featuring Reese, despite her viral popularity and impressive rebounding statistics. No shifts to larger venues. No ticketing frenzy. While Reese is certainly talented and charismatic, the metrics suggest she doesn’t currently move the needle the way Clark does.

A Business Decision, Not Favoritism

Sky President Adam Fox tried to spin the venue change as a way to reward passionate fans. But that reasoning falls flat when only two games—both against Clark’s Fever—were selected. If it were truly about Sky fans, then more high-demand games, including those centered around Reese, would’ve been moved too. The reality? Clark fills seats. Reese doesn’t. Not yet, anyway.

Across the league, the pattern continues. The Washington Mystics moved their matchup against the Fever to Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena. The Connecticut Sun shifted their Clark showdown to TD Garden in Boston. These aren’t random acts of scheduling. They’re calculated moves based on one factor: demand for Caitlin Clark.

To label this as favoritism misses the point. This is economics. Teams aren’t playing favorites—they’re following the money. And right now, the money leads to Caitlin Clark.

The Social Media Storm

Unsurprisingly, the decision sparked debate online. Reese supporters argue that she deserves the same treatment and visibility, pointing to her impact on college basketball, NIL deals, and her rising media presence. Many of her fans believe she’s equally vital to the WNBA’s surge in popularity.

But the data tells a different story.

Clark’s games—home and away—generate nearly double the attendance compared to Reese’s. The Fever frequently sell out, with resale ticket prices hitting thousands. The Sky, on the other hand, struggle to create urgency even for marquee matchups without Clark.

One viral tweet summed up the sentiment: “Funny how they never moved Angel’s games to larger arenas when she was breaking records, but suddenly they need 20,000 seats when Clark comes to town.” That’s not a slight against Reese—it’s a reflection of consumer behavior.

Can Reese Catch Up?

None of this is to downplay Angel Reese’s talent or potential. She is a high-impact player and a marketable star in her own right. But there’s a clear difference between being a great player and being a game-changer for the league. Clark is the latter. She didn’t just show up—she transformed how the league operates, creating a blueprint for profitability, visibility, and fan engagement.

Perhaps the most telling quote comes from Reese herself: “They watch for me too.” And to a degree, they do. But not in the same volume, not with the same urgency, and not at the same financial impact.

The question now is whether Reese uses this moment as motivation. Can she elevate her on-court game to match her off-court persona? Can she become the kind of player that teams will move heaven and earth—and venues—to accommodate? That remains to be seen.

More Than Just a Basketball Story

What we’re witnessing isn’t just about two rookies vying for attention. It’s a deeper commentary on how sports leagues evolve. The WNBA, long viewed as a league with potential but limited reach, is now experiencing what the NBA once did during the rise of stars like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The league has found its headline act in Caitlin Clark.

And when one player can increase a league’s revenue by over 25% in a single season—as Clark reportedly did—you make room for her. Literally. In bigger arenas.

This isn’t to say Angel Reese won’t have her time. Her story is still being written, and the league is better with her in it. But as of now, Clark isn’t just winning on the stat sheet. She’s winning at the box office, at the merch stands, in TV ratings, and in cultural impact.

Final Thoughts

The shift to the United Center is more than a scheduling footnote—it’s a milestone moment for women’s basketball. It highlights how far the sport has come, and how one player is accelerating that growth. Angel Reese may feel overlooked, and to some extent, she has a point. But feelings don’t sell tickets. Demand does.

And right now, Caitlin Clark is the demand.

As the 2025 season approaches, one thing is clear: when Clark comes to town, you better make sure your biggest venue is available—because she’s bringing the crowd with her.