Caitlyn Clark wanted to capture the moment, just like everyone else there.
About an hour and a half before the Washington Mystics faced off against the Indiana Fever at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena, the 2024 No. 1 WNBA draft pick stepped out from the tunnel connecting a small, quiet gym to the bigger arena. This marked the first time Clark was sidelined during a regular-season game in her pro career. Dressed in a Nike windbreaker with a digital camera strapped to her wrist and matching Air Max shoes, she began snapping photos.
She took pictures of a teammate’s playful flick and moved past the coaches, documenting this Wednesday in Baltimore. Despite not being on the court, Clark’s presence resonated with fans at the gym—everyone still felt her energy.
Recently, two games between the Mystics and Fever were moved from the 4,200-seat CareFirst Arena to the much larger 14,000-seat CFG Bank Arena. Wednesday’s game was the first, with the Mystics winning 83-77 before 11,183 fans. The rematch is set for September 7 at the same venue. Clark, a top rookie, was a big draw.
Tickets bought early sold for hundreds of dollars each, but after Fever announced Clark’s quadriceps injury and her absence for at least two weeks, ticket prices dropped to under $10 on StubHub by game day. Even without their star player, Fever fans—especially Clark supporters—remained hopeful.
Melissa Kramer, 30, from New Jersey, said she wasn’t surprised Clark came to the game: “She’s not the type to stay home. She knows fans spend money and time to see her and be around her. I knew she’d be here, no question.”
Clark put down her camera and headed to the stands, blending in as if part of a documentary crew. Suddenly, a flood of fans surged forward to catch a glimpse of one of the faces of the WNBA. Clark grabbed a Sharpie and started signing autographs.
For 12 minutes, she signed shirts, jerseys, and posters, posed for numerous photos, and interacted warmly with fans—some of whom will likely cherish her autograph forever. One fan held up a copy of Clark’s Time magazine cover issue, while another waved a sign that Clark acknowledged as the best birthday gift she’d ever received.
The basketball court stretches 94 feet, and Clark’s signature spanned well beyond both baselines, reaching fans lined along the railing behind the bench.
When asked why she gave so much time, Fever coach Steph White said, “Caitlyn grew up watching this league. When you’re that little girl who dreams big, you want to inspire the next generation—to give hope to girls in the stands to chase their dreams.”
Mystics veteran Brittney Sykes agreed, highlighting the significance of bringing the game to new venues. “It’s about more than basketball. It shows young girls near Baltimore that there’s a real chance to make it to the league. We hope they eventually come all the way to DC, but that’s the point—to grow the game.”
Among the lucky fans connecting with Clark were four travel basketball teammates from Pennsylvania. Nine-year-old Cece Geesey and Harper White, along with seven-year-olds Daphne Fuhr and Paige Fuhrman, pooled their allowances to buy tickets. They understood the value of seeing Clark play, especially since tickets to see their hero wearing number 22—even on the bench—are pricey.
Meeting Clark left them thrilled. “It was amazing!” one said. “So cool,” added another. They proudly showed off their autographs and have followed Clark’s rapid rise for years. These young fans lined up hours before the gym doors opened in eager anticipation.
Kramer shared she became a fan watching Clark’s freshman year at Iowa and remembers a remarkable half-court shot against Ohio. She’s seen Clark play six times and finally got a photo with her hero after waiting in line.
Though some Mystics fans traveled a short distance for the game, attendance might have been higher if the game hadn’t fallen on a weeknight (the rematch is on a Sunday afternoon). The Baltimore crowd was dominated by Clark supporters, sporting Fever, Iowa, or a mix of both kinds of gear.
Clark’s influence was clear, highlighted by fever-red shirts proclaiming “All games are home games.”
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Fan Take: Caitlyn Clark’s magnetic presence, even from the sidelines, demonstrates her significance beyond just scoring points—she embodies the hope and future of the WNBA. This kind of star power and community connection helps elevate the league’s visibility and inspires the next generation of fans and players.
