Note: The opinions in this article do not reflect the views of SwimSwam as a whole.
From high ticket prices to lofty viewership goals, there is much debate surrounding the marketability of the unprecedented 2024 U.S. Olympic swimming competition. The trial will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana for the first time since 2000, after trials were held at CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska in 2008, 2012 and 2016. But this time, the competition will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium. Home to the Indianapolis Colts, the larger-than-usual venue has raised concerns that the stands will be empty.
A lot is currently up in the air regarding the trial. But there is another potentially positive element that is not talked about enough. It's the largest American swimming competition in three years, and he's currently taking place just minutes away from one of America's biggest sporting attractions.And the sports lottery in question caitlin clarke.
Now, you may be wondering: Is this my twice yearly attempt to somehow write a swimming article about Clark? ” But just listen to me now.
On Monday night, Clark was drafted with the first pick by the Indiana Fever. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has been highly anticipated for months. Without even setting foot in Indianapolis, her future professional career is already generating a lot of interest, with SeatGeek Fever tickets up 136% from last season and 36 of 40 games featuring just one game. After the broadcast, it is scheduled to be broadcast on national television. last year. On Sunday, she appeared on Saturday Night Live to show off her growing profile in mainstream media. And if she transfers her success from the NCAA level to the big leagues, a significant portion of the 18.9 million viewers who watched the game against South Carolina in the 2024 NCAA Championship Game will watch her play in the WNBA. That's going to happen.
The Olympic Trials will be held from June 15th to 23rd, during which time the Fever will play two home games (June 16th against the Chicago Sky and June 19th against the Washington Mystics). The Fever plays at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, about a 13-minute drive from Lucas Oil Stadium. And if the Indiana Pacers fail to advance in the NBA playoffs, the Fever will be the only competing sports attraction to coincide with the Olympic Trials.
For context: The last time the Olympic Trials were held this close to the arenas of major professional sports teams was in 1992, when they were held in Indianapolis and the United States. Reggie MillerThe Pacers played a home game on the final day of the tournament (although they had three road games in the first six days of the tournament). Most recently, a trial was held in the same city as the Men's College World Series. The CHI Health Center was located across from Charles Schwab's field where baseball games were held. Because participants in both trials and his MCWS consisted primarily of traveling fans, space in Omaha hotels was extremely limited. Another effect of the two competitions was that the parking lot became crowded towards the end of the day. Additionally, because the final game of the 2016 MCWS was postponed due to weather, participants in some qualifying sessions of the trial were given free tickets to the postponed baseball game.
The Fever likely won't pose the same travel-related logistical problems that MCWS did because of its large local fan base. But assuming the hype around her is still strong a month into the WNBA season, Clark will probably be the biggest in recent history actively competing for anything close to the Olympic Trials. will be the name of the athlete. In my opinion, this would be great publicity for both Fever and her USA Swimming.
It's ironic that a WNBA team and USA Swimming could be mutually beneficial, considering the WNBA is a league that has historically struggled with attendance and TV ratings itself. In fact, the last five Olympic Trials have had considerably higher ratings than her 2023 WNBA Finals, which averaged 728,000 viewers. There are many active swimmers such as: caleb dressel and katie ledecky She gained national attention long before Clark and probably has more global recognition than she (and probably other WNBA players) due to her Olympic success. But considering how Clark's popularity has skyrocketed over the past two years, mentioning him in the same sentence as the famous American swimmer seems like the perfect solution.
If people are willing to pay high prices to watch the Fever Games, why would they want to watch an Olympic gold medalist compete in a unique, culturally iconic venue? I can say it. Would people staying in Indy for trials take time out of her day to support the WNBA if it meant seeing an up-and-coming superstar?
Some components are already in place. michael phelps USA Swimming and USA Swimming have already promoted Clark on their social media accounts after Clark revealed that his iPhone screensaver was a photo of Phelps competing against South Africa's Phelps. chad le clos At the 2016 Olympics. In addition, Indy Sports Corporation has told SwimSwam that efforts are being made to facilitate trials involving all professional sports teams in Indianapolis, which could potentially attract players like the Colts quarterback. He said it was sexual. anthony richardsonPacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburtonand is currently the WNBA Rookie of the Year. aliyah boston (This Clark is likely to be Clark's partner in crime in the upcoming WNBA season, and could receive the same level of attention as her if the media expands beyond the one-star tunnel vision coverage.) .
If there's one thing people are interested in, it's once-in-a-lifetime crossovers. Imagine the buzz that would arise in Indianapolis if it was known that Ledecky and Clark would be competing at the same time in the same city, just 13 minutes apart from each other. Imagine the idea of a Paris 2024 Olympic team being selected while an upstart team takes women's professional basketball to new heights. Imagine professional athletes from Indianapolis making public appearances in support of the entire sport of swimming.
It's always interesting to see worlds collide, and USA Swimming has plenty of opportunities to do that. Wouldn't it be great if we could bring more attention to the up-and-coming swimmers who will be famous (at least for the time being) after the Paris Olympics? game?
Indianapolis, this summer is a great time. Don't waste it.
