Before Caitlin Clark came along, I didn’t watch WNBA games. To be honest, I had never really watched women’s basketball at all. If you had asked me to name a player in the WNBA, I wouldn’t have had a clue. It’s not that I didn’t respect the talent or hard work—I just wasn’t interested. The games didn’t seem to have the excitement or pull that I felt when watching men’s basketball.
But all of that changed during Caitlin Clark’s senior year of college. I kept hearing about her, seeing her on social media, and watching clips of her breaking records and hitting unbelievable shots. It was like watching Stephen Curry, but with her own unique style, pulling up from way beyond the arc like it was nothing. The way she played made me rethink everything I had assumed about women’s basketball. It was exciting, electric, and for the first time ever, I was hooked.
Clark made me care about the WNBA, and it wasn’t just me. She’s become a topic of conversation in places where the WNBA was never mentioned before. My friends, colleagues, and I—none of us had ever spoken about WNBA players or games before. But now, Caitlin Clark has become our “water cooler” conversation. We find ourselves talking about the insane half-court shots she’s making, her crossover moves that break opponents’ ankles, and her ridiculous court vision that allows her to make on-the-dime passes to teammates. I’ve been shocked and amazed by her overall basketball skills and incredibly high basketball IQ. She’s got people talking in a way I’ve never seen from a women’s basketball player.
But now, there’s a chance she might leave for Europe after only one season. If that happens, I’m left wondering: What will the WNBA do to keep my attention, and the attention of all the new fans she brought to the league?
How Caitlin Clark Got Me to Watch My First WNBA Game
I’ve been a basketball fan for as long as I can remember, but women’s basketball just never drew me in. I had heard about the WNBA in passing, but it always felt like it existed in the background—nothing that really demanded my attention. Then came Caitlin Clark. During her senior year at Iowa, she was everywhere. I saw highlights of her hitting long-range threes, making incredible passes, and putting up monster numbers night after night.
I started following her college career more closely, watching as she broke records and carried her team to wins in a way that reminded me of some of the NBA’s biggest stars. By the time she declared for the WNBA Draft, I was excited to see what she could do at the next level. For the first time, I cared about the WNBA. I watched her debut game, and suddenly, I was invested—not just in her, but in the league as a whole.
It amazed me how one player could shift my entire perspective on the WNBA, and I wasn’t alone. I know countless others who, like me, had never tuned in before but were now following along, all because of Caitlin Clark.
Why Isn’t the WNBA Doing More to Keep Caitlin Clark?
But as much as I’ve enjoyed watching her play, it’s frustrating to think that Clark might not stick around for long. The reality is, the WNBA can’t compete with the salaries being offered in Europe. While the maximum salary in the WNBA is just under $235,000, top European clubs can offer much more, sometimes in the millions. It blows my mind that the league isn’t doing everything in its power to keep someone like Clark from leaving.
If Caitlin Clark is the reason people like me are watching, wouldn’t it make sense to do whatever it takes to make sure she stays? The WNBA finally has a star who can bring in new fans, generate revenue, and increase viewership, but they’re at risk of losing her after just one season. It’s frustrating because it feels like the league could be doing more—raising salaries, creating bigger incentives, or just finding a way to make staying in the WNBA more appealing than going overseas.
As a fan, it’s hard to wrap my head around. Why wouldn’t you do everything in your power to keep the player who’s brought so much attention and excitement to your league?
Missed Opportunities: Where’s the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Rivalry?
Another thing I don’t get is why the WNBA isn’t building storylines around its biggest stars. The NBA thrives on rivalries and matchups that keep fans engaged throughout the season. Look at the history between Magic and Bird, or LeBron and Curry. These storylines draw people in and keep them invested, even when their favorite teams aren’t playing. The WNBA could do something similar.
Caitlin Clark has already faced off against Angel Reese in college, and their battles were must-see TV. When they played in the NCAA Championship, it was one of the most talked-about games of the year. But now that they’re both in the WNBA, where’s that same energy? Why isn’t the league pushing this rivalry, making it a central storyline that brings in viewers? Clark and Reese could be the WNBA’s version of LeBron and Durant, two superstars going head-to-head and driving excitement for the league.
As a new fan, it seems like a no-brainer to build on this history and hype it up. But for some reason, the WNBA hasn’t capitalized on the potential of these matchups, and I think they’re missing out on a huge opportunity. I know that if there was a Clark vs. Reese rivalry being promoted, I’d be tuning in every time.
Why I Can’t Name the WNBA’s Best Players—And That’s a Problem
One of the strangest things I’ve noticed since I started following the WNBA is how little I know about the league’s best players. Even after watching a few games, I still couldn’t tell you who the top stars are, aside from Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Why isn’t the league doing more to promote its talent?
The NBA is all about star power—fans know who the top players are because the league makes sure they’re everywhere. But with the WNBA, I’m left wondering why I don’t hear more about players like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart. These are names I’ve only started to recognize recently, but I don’t know their stories. The league should be making sure that casual fans like me can name at least a handful of players without having to search for information.
If I can’t name the best players in your league, how are you going to get me—or anyone else who’s new to the WNBA—excited about watching?
The Financial Impact of Losing Caitlin Clark
The potential loss of Caitlin Clark is more than just an emotional blow for fans like me—it’s a financial issue for the league. Clark has single-handedly brought new viewers to the WNBA. Her games bring in higher attendance numbers, better TV ratings, and more social media buzz than any other player right now.
If Clark leaves for Europe after just one season, the WNBA could see a drop in attendance back to pre-Clark levels, when the average crowd was around 6,500 fans per game. TV ratings could also fall back, losing the momentum she brought. The league is projected to generate over $100 million in revenue this season with her in the fold. If she leaves, those numbers could drop, putting the WNBA back in a tough financial spot.
It’s not just about one player, but she represents a huge part of the WNBA’s current appeal to new fans. Losing Clark would hurt the league’s ability to grow, and as a new fan, it makes me wonder how much the WNBA is willing to invest in its own future.
What Will the WNBA Do to Keep Me Watching Without Caitlin Clark?
So here I am, a new WNBA fan thanks to Caitlin Clark, but what happens if she leaves? What will the WNBA do to keep people like me engaged?
If the league wants to build on the momentum Clark has created, they need to do a few things. First, they have to raise player salaries to keep talent from leaving for Europe. It’s not just about Caitlin Clark—if the WNBA wants to be taken seriously, they need to keep their best players from jumping ship for better pay overseas.
Next, they need to do a better job of promoting their stars. The WNBA has so much talent, but it feels like they’re not doing enough to let people know who these players are. They should be creating rivalries, building storylines, and making every game feel like an event. The Clark vs. Reese matchup should be a marquee event, but right now, it feels like it’s flying under the radar.
Finally, the WNBA needs to keep engaging with new fans on social media and through more accessible broadcasts. If they want to keep me watching, they have to keep giving me reasons to care—whether that’s through exciting gameplay, strong personalities, or compelling rivalries.
The WNBA’s Future Without Caitlin Clark
The WNBA was lucky to have Caitlin Clark, even if it’s just for one season. She brought attention, new fans, and a sense of excitement that the league hadn’t seen in years. But if she leaves, the WNBA has to find a way to keep that momentum going. For someone like me, who never was interested in Womens Basketball.
The ball is in your court WNBA and what are you going to do about it? Take a pass or make the shot? Guess we’ll have to see!
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