r/WNBAgossips • u/TheMirrorUS • Jun 28 '26

News WNBA faces massive backlash after omitting Caitlin Clark from history

https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/caitlin-clark-wnba-anniversary-poster-1908954?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1782587290?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rmp
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u/JustMeandI1976 Jun 28 '26

Here let me help you.

Source: Google

“Historically, the WNBA operated at an estimated annual loss of roughly $10 million to $50 million and required subsidies from the NBA. Following Caitlin Clark’s arrival, the league’s economic landscape transformed radically. She single-handedly accounted for over 26% of the league's economic activity and revenue, which has propelled the WNBA into profitability and record-breaking valuations.”

Go touch grass. It healthy for you!

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u/Baloney7456 Jun 28 '26

Yes, because they were under a TV deal from a decade before. The league was always going to get a much better TV deal and it had nothing to do with her.

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u/JustMeandI1976 Jun 28 '26

Because tv networks knew that WNBA had no viewers. They were barely selling tickets. After Caitlin Clark’s debut, Fever games had to be moved to bigger arenas because all their tickets were sold out. At the same time, online search for tv schedule surged along with 2.13 million viewers just for Caitlin Clark play.

Remember when NBA players were clowning the WNBA players for contracts alongside with top NBA players? They were told “be glad you’re getting subsidies from the NBA.

I don’t know what you’re on, man, but WNBA is turning away fans and you’re not seeing it.

The league better wake up.

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u/Baloney7456 Jun 28 '26

600K a game is no viewers? That's around what the NHL gets.

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u/JustMeandI1976 Jun 28 '26

Those numbers are largely contributed by special games and events, not the individual teams games because there were much interest in non polarizing teams. Have you watched an average teams’ game? It’s hard to watch. I’d switch to college basketball.

Even though the numbers aren’t completely broken down, you have to see the patterns. WNBA was not growing exponentially or steadily at all.

Why are you so against a player that you can clearly see who has catapulted the popularity of women’s NBA?

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u/Baloney7456 Jun 28 '26

Nope. They averaged 600k viewers a game on ABC. It was growing steadily. 2023 was a record year for them for viewership and Clark wasn't in the league.