The financial impact of Caitlin Clark, Iowa's appearance at Purdue
Ticket revenue from the Jan. 10 matchup at Mackey Arena generated more than $100,000
The Caitlin Clark road show has been a tremendous success this season, playing before sold-out crowds across the Big Ten and the nation.
In Iowa City, Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been sold out all season, giving the women’s basketball program and the athletic department a significant boost in revenue.
But those sellouts on the road also provide an increase in revenue to schools, including Purdue.
When the Hawkeyes visited Mackey Arena on Jan. 10, it marked the fourth sellout (14,876) in program history. What did a packed house mean for Purdue from a financial standpoint?
The numbers, according to the athletic department who provided the details to the Greater Lafayette Sports Report:
Photo: A soldout Mackey Arena when Purdue hosted Iowa (Dave Wegiel Photography)
Ticket sales generated $106,257, a substantial boost from the $21,920 average for the other home games.
Concession sales brought in $36,500, another significant increase from the $11,500 average for other home games.
Of Iowa’s 32 regular-season games, 30 are expected to be sellouts. On the road in Big Ten games, the Hawkeyes are playing in front of an average crowd of 12,565. Iowa has four road games remaining - Maryland, Nebraska, Indiana and Minnesota.
For the Iowa and Indiana games, Purdue increased ticket prices from $5 to $15 compared to other home games depending on the location. Courtside seats cost $45 ($35 for other games), club seats were $35 ($20) and lower and upper bowl seats were $15 compared to $10.
Attendance for the Indiana game was announced at 11,796. Purdue’s average attendance through 11 home games is 6,583.
Ohio State included Iowa as part of its premier ticket package, along with games against UCLA, Indiana, and Maryland. Prices were $19 (adults), $14 (seniors, student/youth) and $13 (group sales). Tickets for nonconference and other Big Ten games are $15, $10 and $9.
Iowa State increased ticket prices when Clark and Hawkeyes came to Ames. Reserved seats were $50 ($15 for other games) and general admission tickets cost $40 ($10).
Iowa even raised season ticket prices to capitalize on Clark and the Hawkeyes’ notoriety. Season ticket renewals cost $175 (adults), $140 (faculty, staff and seniors) and $60 (youth). For new season ticket holders, the cost was $195 (adults), $160 (faculty, staff and seniors) and $75 (youth).
During the 2022-23 season, the prices ranged from $125 (adults), $90 (faculty, staff and seniors) and $30 (youth).