The Fall of the WNBA: How Jealousy and Neglect Dethroned Their Queen.
In the spring of 2024, Caitlin Clark exploded onto the WNBA scene like a supernova, shattering attendance records and skyrocketing viewership to unprecedented heights. As a rookie for the Indiana Fever, she drew millions of new fans, turning the league into a cultural phenomenon. Average game attendance surged by 83% in her debut season, and national TV ratings hit all-time highs, with some games pulling over 3 million views Clark wasn’t just a player; she was the golden goose, injecting fame and fortune into a league that had long struggled for mainstream relevance.
But beneath the spotlight simmered resentment. Veteran players and commentators whispered about “jealousy” and “politics,” often coded references to Clark’s status as a straight, white phenom in a league dominated by Black and LGBTQ+ athletes. Hard fouls became routine—Chennedy Carter’s infamous shoulder check in 2024 sparked outrage, yet the WNBA’s response was tepid at
Critics argued the league failed to protect its brightest star, allowing physicality bordering on bullying to persist. “They’ve been dethroned,” one X user quipped, capturing the undercurrent of envy from established stars who saw Clark as an interloper stealing their thunder.
By 2025, the cracks widened. Clark battled injuries, culminating in a season-ending groin strain announced on September 4.
Without her, the league plummeted into freefall. Viewership cratered by 55% since her May quad injury earlier in the year, with national TV games averaging just 847,000 viewers post-sidelining.
Playoff projections warned of “tragic” declines, and even broadcasters like Fox and ESPN scaled back coverage.>
The shocking silence from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has been deafening. No robust defense of Clark, no reforms to curb aggressive play. Instead, the league prioritized internal politics over its meal ticket. As one analyst put it, “The WNBA truths and fictions: the real state of the league in 2025” reveals a self-inflicted wound—growth stalled by failing to nurture its once-in-a-generation talent.
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