Angel Reese’s Homecoming Game Highlights Stark Contrast in WNBA Star Power Compared to Caitlin Clark

The landscape of women’s basketball has changed dramatically with the arrival of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA. Conversations around the league are now dominated by the topic of “drawing power”—who truly brings fans to the stands and elevates the sport’s visibility. While Angel Reese has confidently declared herself a pivotal reason for the growing interest in women’s basketball, recent events suggest a very different reality, especially when compared to the meteoric rise of Caitlin Clark.

This past weekend provided a revealing snapshot of the current state of WNBA star power. Angel Reese, affectionately known as the “Bayou Barbie,” returned to her alma mater, LSU, with the Chicago Sky for a preseason matchup. The event was heavily marketed as a celebratory homecoming for Reese—a chance for Baton Rouge to welcome back its championship hero. Expectations were high that the city would roll out the purple carpet, filling the 13,000-seat arena with fans eager to see their hometown star.

However, the turnout fell dramatically short of those expectations. Official attendance figures hovered around 6,300—barely half the arena’s capacity and a generous estimate at that. Social media was quickly flooded with images of empty seats, silent aisles, and entire sections closed off due to lack of demand. Despite tickets being sold at a steep discount, with some reportedly going for as little as $15 and even being given away for free, the crowd simply did not materialize. The upper bowl of the arena remained closed, and the lower bowl was pockmarked with vacant chairs.

This underwhelming turnout stands in stark contrast to Caitlin Clark’s preseason debut with the Indiana Fever. In Iowa, Clark’s game was a sellout, with every seat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena snapped up in just 27 minutes. Fans paid hundreds, even thousands, on resale sites to witness her play in what was essentially a glorified scrimmage. The energy was palpable, the demand unprecedented for a preseason event, and the arena buzzed with excitement from tip-off to the final buzzer. It was clear that Clark’s presence had transformed a routine exhibition into a must-see spectacle.

The difference between these two homecomings could not be more pronounced. While Reese’s return to LSU felt more like a low-key family gathering than a hero’s welcome, Clark’s preseason outing resembled a national holiday. The numbers tell the story: Reese’s homecoming failed to reach 50% capacity in an arena where she once hoisted a championship trophy, while Clark’s game was standing-room only.

The implications of this disparity extend beyond mere attendance figures. In today’s sports world, ticket sales, merchandise demand, and social media engagement are all key indicators of a player’s drawing power. Clark has become a phenomenon, prompting arenas to upgrade their capacity and teams to move games to larger venues just to accommodate the surge in interest. Her impact has been felt not only in Iowa but across the league, with the “Clark effect” boosting local economies and raising the WNBA’s profile nationwide.

Meanwhile, Reese’s millions of social media followers have not translated into ticket sales or television ratings. Despite her high-profile endorsements and viral moments, the in-person support has lagged behind the online hype. The empty seats at LSU’s arena were a stark reminder that digital popularity does not always equate to real-world influence. The contrast was particularly glaring given that this was supposed to be Reese’s triumphant return—a celebration of her achievements and her role in LSU’s championship run.

The mainstream media has often portrayed Reese as a transformative figure in women’s basketball, but the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. While she remains a compelling personality and a magnet for sponsorships, her ability to fill arenas and generate excitement appears limited compared to Clark’s. The weekend’s events have prompted many to question the narrative surrounding Reese’s impact on the sport.

It’s worth noting that Reese’s supporters have pointed to a variety of factors that might have contributed to the low turnout, including timing, marketing, and competing events. However, the fact remains that even with discounted tickets and extensive promotion, the crowd was underwhelming. In contrast, Clark’s mere presence has been enough to drive ticket sales and media coverage, regardless of location or opponent.

The phenomenon surrounding Clark is not confined to her home state. Across the country, arenas are reporting sold-out games whenever the Indiana Fever are in town. Merchandise bearing Clark’s name and likeness is flying off the shelves, and television ratings for her games are shattering records. She has single-handedly turned WNBA preseason games into headline events, drawing attention from both longtime basketball fans and newcomers to the sport.

For the WNBA, the rise of Caitlin Clark represents a significant opportunity. Her star power is driving revenue, increasing visibility, and attracting a new generation of fans. Teams are capitalizing on her popularity by moving games to larger venues and creating special merchandise, such as the Indiana Fever’s “Every Game Is a Home Game” tour t-shirt. The league is experiencing a surge in interest not seen in years, thanks in large part to Clark’s dynamic play and magnetic personality.

In contrast, Angel Reese’s experience at LSU serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of social media influence in professional sports. While she remains an important figure in women’s basketball, her drawing power has not matched the lofty expectations set by her public declarations. The empty seats at her homecoming game were a visible reminder that true star power is measured by more than just Instagram followers and endorsement deals.

As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how these narratives evolve. Will Reese be able to translate her online popularity into real-world support, or will Clark continue to set the standard for what it means to be a draw in women’s basketball? One thing is clear: the WNBA’s future is brighter than ever, but the competition for the title of “face of the league” is fierce—and, for now, Caitlin Clark is leading the way.