Tracking the Explosive Growth in Interest in the WNBA and Its Impact on Betting
The WNBA has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity and engagement. A new study by Doc’s Sports examines the trends in search volumes related to the WNBA and its impact on betting interest from 2022 to 2024.
Key Takeaways
Average search volumes for "WNBA picks" increased by 200% from 2023 to 2024, while overall WNBA search volumes rose by 346.49% in the same period.
Peak search volumes for "WNBA" saw increases of 733.33%.
Caitlin Clark's rising popularity has significantly contributed to the increased interest in the WNBA, as evidenced by a dramatic surge in her search volumes, which reflect a remarkable 583.44% increase from 2023 to 2024.
Growing Audience for WNBA
The analysis of search volumes reveals a substantial increase in interest and engagement with the WNBA from 2022 to 2024. Average search volumes for "WNBA picks" surged from 5,000 in 2022 to 15,000 in 2023, and further to 45,000 in 2024. This growth represents a 200% increase from 2022 to 2023, and an additional 200% increase from 2023 to 2024. Peak search volumes also saw a dramatic rise, increasing from 20,000 in 2022 to 60,000 in 2023, and reaching 180,000 in 2024, reflecting consistent tripling year over year.
Overall WNBA search volumes show an even more dramatic increase, with average search volumes rising from 88,858 in 2022 to 105,360 in 2023, and further to 470,421 in 2024 (partial year). This marks a 346.49% increase from 2023, reflecting a rapidly expanding audience. Peak search volumes reached 1,966,235 in 2024, a 733.33% increase from the previous year, underscoring the league's growing popularity.
Caitlin Clark's Influence
Caitlin Clark has emerged as a significant figure in women's basketball, and her rising popularity appears to correlate with the increased interest in the WNBA. The correlation coefficient between Caitlin Clark's search interest and WNBA search interest is 0.57, indicating a moderate positive relationship. This suggests that as Caitlin Clark's visibility and influence grow, there is a corresponding increase in WNBA interest. The absolute Google search volume data for Caitlin Clark reveals a dramatic upward trend over the years: from no significant search volume in 2020, it grew to 28,077 in 2021, then to 74,872 in 2022, surged to 1,469,367 in 2023, and skyrocketed to 10,042,246 in 2024, reflecting a remarkable 583.44% increase from 2023 to 2024. This exponential growth in Caitlin Clark's search interest coincides with the significant boost in WNBA interest we observed earlier.
Top States with Search Interest
The analysis of state-specific search interest reveals that certain states exhibit higher engagement with WNBA content. Mississippi leads the list with a search interest score of 100 for WNBA Picks, followed by Nevada (57). Delaware (52), Louisiana (47) and Alabama (39) are completing the top 5.
|
State |
WNBA Picks Search Interest |
|
Mississippi |
100 |
|
Nevada |
57 |
|
Delaware |
52 |
|
Louisiana |
47 |
|
Alabama |
39 |
|
Iowa |
39 |
|
District of Columbia |
31 |
|
South Carolina |
28 |
|
South Dakota |
26 |
|
Hawaii |
23 |
|
Indiana |
21 |
|
Maryland |
21 |
|
Georgia |
21 |
|
Connecticut |
21 |
|
North Carolina |
18 |
|
New Jersey |
18 |
|
Rhode Island |
18 |
|
Florida |
18 |
|
Pennsylvania |
15 |
|
Arkansas |
15 |
|
Minnesota |
15 |
|
Kansas |
15 |
|
Virginia |
15 |
|
Massachusetts |
15 |
|
Kentucky |
15 |
|
Illinois |
15 |
|
Tennessee |
15 |
|
New York |
15 |
|
North Dakota |
13 |
|
Nebraska |
13 |
|
Texas |
13 |
|
West Virginia |
13 |
|
Ohio |
13 |
|
Wisconsin |
10 |
|
Arizona |
10 |
|
Michigan |
10 |
|
New Mexico |
10 |
|
Colorado |
10 |
|
Vermont |
10 |
|
Wyoming |
10 |
|
Washington |
7 |
|
Maine |
7 |
|
California |
7 |
|
Oregon |
7 |
|
Utah |
7 |
|
Missouri |
7 |
|
New Hampshire |
7 |
|
Oklahoma |
5 |
|
Idaho |
5 |
|
Montana |
5 |
The trends observed in search volumes suggest a rapidly expanding audience and heightened engagement with WNBA content, potentially driving increased interest in sports betting. The rise in popularity of star players, such as Caitlin Clark, may also be positively correlated with the increased interest in the WNBA.
Methodology
This study utilized Google search volume data to analyze trends in interest and engagement with the WNBA from 2022 to 2024. The data was segmented by year and season to identify patterns and growth rates. Key metrics such as average and peak search volumes were calculated to assess the level of interest over time. The analysis focused on search terms related to "WNBA picks", "WNBA" and “Caitlin Clark” to capture the overall interest in the league and its impact on sports betting.
Get free WNBA picks for every game on Doc’s WNBA picks page.
Most Recent WNBA Handicapping
- Tracking the Explosive Growth in Interest in the WNBA and Its Impact on Betting
- The Economic Impact of Caitlin Clark on the WNBA
- 2024 WNBA Championship Odds and Predictions
- 3-for-1 WNBA Basketball Picks Season Special
- 2023 WNBA MVP Odds and Predictions
- 2023 WNBA Season Predictions – Tony George Power Ratings
- 2020 WNBA Draft Odds
- 2019 WNBA Season Preview and Doc's Sports Expert Handicapping
- 2016 WNBA Futures Odds with Expert Season Predictions
- WNBA Futures Odds for Championship Betting with Expert Predictions