Caitlin Clark is not in Paris for the Olympics, as she was left off the Team USA roster. Her absence is connected to the early attendance figures for women’s basketball, which highlighted her status as the world’s biggest star.

No one stayed up to watch the United States face Japan in their opening group phase game.

The competition began on Sunday with two matches in Group A, while Groups B and C kicked off on Monday. Team USA is in Group C. All group phase games are being held at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, located just outside Lille.

Here is how attendance broke down by game, date and (Parisian) time:

Spain vs. China
Sunday, July 28, 13:30
ATTENDANCE: 27,021
Serbia vs. Puerto Rico
Sunday, July 28, 21:00
ATTENDANCE: 15,324
Nigeria vs. Australia
Monday, July 29, 11:00
ATTENDANCE: 24,023

Germany vs. Belgium
Monday, July 29, 13:30
ATTENDANCE: 20,211
Canada vs. France
Monday, July 29, 17:15
ATTENDANCE: 20,211
United States vs. Japan
Monday, July 29, 21:00
ATTENDANCE: 13,040

The U.S. drew the smallest crowd of all six opening round games. Coincidence? Definitely not.

Of course, Team USA is focused on winning gold and not on attendance figures. They’re there to compete, and the size of the crowd doesn’t impact their goal, especially when they are 20+ point favorites in an early-round game that starts after 9:00 p.m. local time.

Nonetheless, the Caitlin Clark effect is undeniable.

Pierre Mauroy Stadium, primarily a soccer venue with a capacity of over 50,000, would likely have seen a larger crowd if the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft had been on the roster, even if just as a bench player. Her presence could have drawn more fans than the first women’s basketball game of the Olympics between China and Spain. Clark’s global impact was evident during the NCAA Tournament, and international fans are just as disappointed by her absence in Paris, as reflected in the attendance numbers.