Behind their rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever are back in the spotlight.
The Fever are returning to the WNBA playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, facing the Connecticut Sun in a best-of-three first-round series, but not everyone is happy about the situation Clark and her teammates have been put in.
Game one of the series is set for tip-off at 3 p.m. ET, meaning viewers will have to decide whether they want to watch Clark or the day slate’s NFL action. Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with the decision.
The 2024 WNBA playoff schedule is set for the first round. The postseason tips at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. pic.twitter.com/IkfGqUnLRb
— ESPN Women's Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) September 20, 2024
“The WNBA schedules Caitlin Clark’s first playoff game during the NFL witching hour. Makes no sense,” one fan said.
“Why Sunday against the NFL,” someone asked.
“Why would you make game 1 on a Sunday??” asked another.
“Very happy the Fever is at 3, so I can watch the Vikings at 1 o’clock on Sunday. I can always turn in the Fever in the 2nd half,” one unbothered fan said.
It’s a tough situation for the league, which has seen unprecedented growth and viewership thanks to this season’s incredible rookie class. It’ll be interesting if Caitlin Clark’s box office ability is enough to beat out the NFL, but knowing what she has already accomplished it wouldn’t be surprising.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.