Sue Bird hints at record-breaking moment in Clark-Reese season opener

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, two of the WNBA’s brightest young stars, are set to face off five times during the 2025 season. Their first clash will be on Saturday, May 17, when Clark’s Indiana Fever take on Reese’s Chicago Sky in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of the year.Former WNBA legend Sue Bird believes the season opener could break viewership records. On her podcast A Touch More, Bird predicted the game could attract over 3 million viewers, citing the star power of Clark and Reese and the buzz around their matchup. “We haven’t seen Caitlin Clark play in a while… and it’s against Angel Reese,” Bird said. “So my guess there is we’re gonna see like 3-plus million [viewers], which I’m sure will smash some record.”Bird's prediction builds on past numbers. The Fever’s win over the Sky on June 18, 2024, pulled in 2.25 million viewers—making it the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years. That game peaked at 3 million viewers, showing just how powerful this rivalry is in drawing attention to the league.The Indiana Fever made big offseason moves and are now considered potential title contenders. The Chicago Sky, on the other hand, had a quieter free agency but brought in veteran Courtney Vandersloot and traded for Ariel Atkins. They also added four promising rookies—Ajsa Sivka, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld, and Aicha Coulibaly pointing to a longer-term rebuild.Despite the difference in team expectations, both Clark and Reese continue to be central figures in the WNBA’s rising popularity and their first 2025 meeting is already shaping up to be a landmark moment for the league.