After such an incredible increase of revenue since Caitlin Clark joined the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) in the 2024 season, and an additional crowd arising when Paige Beuckers was drafted in 2025, why has the WNBA suddenly tarnished all of its viewership? Well, it all started when Clark suffered a right groin injury on July 15 and was later ruled out the rest of the season on September 4.
2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark was drafted first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. With her historical career at University of Iowa under her belt, Clark has completely changed the way the WNBA has been perceived by all audiences. Clark went on to win the Rookie of the Year award and completely transform the league and its revenue. The WNBA acquired the most viewership they have ever had since they started their league in 1997, and they expected their league to continue to grow with Caitlin Clark and the future addition of UConn’s Paige Beuckers. When Beuckers was drafted first overall in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings, the league continued to grow in revenue, as expected. Junior Julia DiMasi comments, “The WNBA was not nearly as popular before Caitlin or Paige got drafted, they couldn’t fill small arenas but now they are selling out (ex: Dallas Wings [Paige’s team] who usually play at College Park Center Arlington Texas had to move their games when they played the Indiana Fever [Caitlin’s team] to American Airlines Center where the Dallas Mavs play).” Clark and Beuckers’ inspiration and influence to the open-minded sports fan world caused the WNBA to spike up and stand out. This was until Clark was first injured on May 24, 2025, suffering a left quad strain, when national game viewership for the Indiana Fever dropped 55%.
Clark only played 13 games during the 2025 season, and although her team did well without her, the Fever’s viewership went down significantly. Unfortunately, during her time away from the court, viewership of the WNBA All-Star game that she couldn’t participate in dropped 36% compared to the 2024 season.
After the 2025 WNBA season ended, and the Las Vegas Aces came out the ultimate champions, Minnesota Lynx superstar player Napheesa Collier came out to the press and delivered a statement on current happenings within the WNBA. She accused WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, of “negligence,” and having the “worst leadership in the world.” Collier mentioned multiple times when Engelbert failed to address important issues presented by the players regarding officiating, player safety, and fair compensation. Collier claimed Engelbert told her that Clark should be “grateful” for her endorsement earnings because of the WNBA platform, which is unjust. How could Engelbert describe Caitlin Clark as just a regular WNBA player? And not the face of the league, which she has earned ownership of. Engelbert went on to deny her hurtful comments towards Clark, but that does not change how Collier’s statement described her actions. Julia DiMasi continues, “For the WNBA to survive, I think they need to really center the league around players like Paige and Caitlin, I think they are too focused on getting everyone involved and everyone have the same recognition, but that’s like giving Jayson Tatum the same amount of media as a bench player. They need to keep building the league and getting new exciting players. They have a super talented draft class coming up with players like Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles and more.” The league clearly must build around Caitlin Clark and Paige Beuckers if they want to keep their viewership up. Their publicity has the chance to transform the league into something much larger and more enjoyable than the WNBA was a few years prior. A change must be made in order for the WNBA to stop going downhill, and it either starts with Cathy Engelbert admitting her mistakes, or it is time for a new commissioner.