Here’s why tickets to the 2024 WNBA Draft (hint: Caitlin Clark) sold out in 15 minutes

Tickets to the WNBA Draft are sold out. It’s got everything (but also nothing at all) to do with Caitlin Clark.

Caitlin Clark’s decision to join the WNBA has the sports world spinning and the excitement from hoops fans is through the rough roof. They’re so excited that tickets to the 2024 WNBA Draft sold out in 15 minutes. Caitlin Clark has a lot to do with that. Still, it isn’t just about Caitlin. Her meteoric ascension should remind everyone women’s sports is not just about a person or a moment. Women’s sports is a movement.

On Thursday, I received a text from a friend that said, “Did you hear about the Draft? Tickets sold out in 15 minutes.” My immediate thought was WOW. THAT IS THE CAITLIN CLARK EFFECT. But then I connected that thought to the more profound concept that has been happening for a while now. People watch women’s sports, are invested in women’s sports and want to be where women like Caitlin are.

You see, it wasn’t just about Caitlin lighting it up at Iowa or making the decision to turn pro. It was—and will always be—about women’s sports. People are following Caitlin for the moments she creates, but it’s the movement that will keep them. The movement has been happening for a long time now. WOMEN HAVE BEEN HERE. They are just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.