Caitlin Clark is set to be immortalized at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.
The WNBA phenom, who became a powerhouse in college as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes, is having her iconic No. 22 jersey retired in a special ceremony inside the arena on February 2, 2025.
However, with Clark’s number set to join the likes of Megan Gustafson and Michelle Edwards in the rafters, ticket prices for the game against the USC Trojans have soared.
In fact, they’re currently going for $711, making them the most expensive tickets in the history of women’s basketball, and a huge increase on the previously lowest price, which was $283.
The huge price hike isn’t all that surprising given tickets for Clark’s last home game went for $358 in the standing room and $450 for regular seats.
“The definition of aura for real,” one fan said.
“The face of women’s basketball,” added another.
“The Caitlin Clark effect on full display! CC is the draw. No other women’s basketball player can do what she does, CC sells,” a third commented.
Clark left Iowa as the greatest player in its basketball program’s history.
While she ultimately failed to win an NCAA championship, losing to longtime rival Angel Reese and the LSU Tigers in the 2023 title game, Clark broke Pete Maravich’s record for most career points in Division I history for men and women, with 3,951 points.
Clark averaged a career 28.4 points and 8.2 assists while shooting 37.7 percent from three across four seasons in college.
She led Iowa to back-to-back national championship games and three Big Ten tournament titles, and was the consensus national player of the year as a junior and senior.
“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said in a statement after the news her Hawkeyes jersey was being retired.
“It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”
“Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said.
“Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women’s basketball.
“Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
“Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments.”
The 22-year-old went on to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Clark enjoyed a historic debut season in the W, breaking all sorts of records en route to being crowned Rookie of the Year.
Ticket and jersey sales, home attendances, social media engagement, and TV viewership went through the roof last season as the Fever star broke records for most assists in a regular season, most points scored by a rookie in a regular season, and most 3-point field goals made by a rookie.
She was recently named Time Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, and is already gearing up for her sophomore season by working on the one thing she will hopes will fire Indiana to a WNBA championship in 2025.
