If I claimed to have avidly followed the WNBA for the past three years, you probably wouldn’t believe me. The reality is, the WNBA hasn’t historically captured the same excitement as the NBA. However, everything changed with the arrival of Caitlin Clark.
No female player in WNBA history has garnered as much attention from the global sports community as Caitlin is right now. She’s put women’s basketball squarely in the spotlight, drawing casual sports fans to discussions about the game in a way not seen in ages.
To put this in perspective, what Caitlin is achieving now is akin to what Michael Jordan did in the early 90s, elevating the game and making the NBA not only marketable but also more profitable. Before the 2023 season, the WNBA’s viewership grew by 40% from 2022 to 2023.
With Caitlin Clark’s arrival, that growth skyrocketed to 400%. Let’s move beyond viewership to ticket sales. From 2022 to 2023, ticket sales increased by 16%. In 2024, they’ve surged by 93%. This exponential growth underscores Caitlin’s impact. Without her, the WNBA might not have reached these milestones until 2029 or 2030.
Caitlin Clark has accelerated the WNBA’s growth trajectory significantly. She achieved in five weeks what would have taken five years.
Even in draft viewership, she’s done in five days what typically would take five years. While the WNBA was growing steadily before Caitlin’s arrival, her presence has amplified this growth exponentially.
Despite the media attention and the influx of revenue Caitlin is generating for the WNBA, many of her peers and veteran players resent her. For example, Lynette Woodard, a legendary player from the 1970s and 1980s, initially reacted with bitterness when Caitlin surpassed her scoring record last February.
Instead of acknowledging Caitlin’s achievement, Woodard downplayed it, stating, “My record was hidden from everyone for 43 years.” This response, while understandable from an historic perspective, fails to credit Caitlin for advancing the game in its current form.
Similarly, former WNBA star Cheryl Swoopes criticized Caitlin for breaking the all-time scoring record, suggesting Caitlin had more games to achieve it.
This argument was factually incorrect, as Caitlin actually achieved the record in fewer games than her predecessor. These reactions highlight a certain jealousy among some established players towards Caitlin’s rapid ascent to stardom.
Even Angel Reese, a rising star who competes against Caitlin, has hinted at feeling overshadowed.
Despite leading her team to victory over Caitlin in a state championship game, Caitlin went on to be the top overall draft pick, a fact that may rankle Reese despite her public statements of support.
Veteran Lexie Brown also critiqued Caitlin for considering a $5 million offer to play in the Big Three. Lexie argued that Caitlin should prioritize the WNBA, where she would be celebrated.
This critique, while valid in principle, may also betray a sense of envy towards Caitlin’s ability to command such a lucrative offer early in her career.
Despite facing criticism and jealousy from various quarters, Caitlin Clark continues to excel on the court. Her statistics speak for themselves: averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, she is well on her way to becoming the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
The adversity and negativity directed towards her only seem to fuel her determination to succeed.
In conclusion, Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA cannot be overstated. While she faces resentment from some quarters, her achievements and the attention she brings to the sport are undeniable.
Whether or not she was snubbed from the Olympics due to this backlash remains a topic of debate. What is clear is that Caitlin is reshaping women’s basketball and becoming a pivotal figure in its history.
