As the new WNBA season approaches, excitement is palpable; however, the looming specter of bad-faith arguments threatens to overshadow it. If you relished the break from the endless opinions from sports media pundits lacking genuine interest in women’s basketball concerning the state of the sport and its athletes who participate, that respite concludes on May 16, coinciding with the start of the 2025 WNBA season, alongside the expected hot takes.
In recent years, discussing Caitlin Clark’s influence is challenging without being pigeonholed. Nuance disappears online (and on sports debate shows), and expressing any viewpoint elicits criticism, which may not always be justified. With this understanding, it’s clear that media and financial stakeholders appear overly fixated on Caitlin Clark as the central figure of the upcoming WNBA season. This observation isn’t groundbreaking nor an attack on those wishing for other players to receive equal media focus; it’s simply an evident reality from a broader perspective.
For instance, ESPN is set to broadcast an exhibition game predominantly due to Clark’s participation. Scheduled on May 4 at her alma mater, the University of Iowa, the game will feature a matchup between the Indiana Fever and Brazil’s national team, likely airing on ESPN unless a competing NBA Playoff Game 7 arises, in which case it may shift to ESPN2. Moreover, 41 of 44 Fever games will be nationally broadcast or streamed in 2025. Clark’s team is slated for five feature games on ABC, alongside airings on ESPN, ION, Amazon Prime Video, and multiple broadcasts on CBS, CBS Sports Network, and NBA TV.
Additionally, six WNBA teams, when hosting Clark and the Fever, will play in larger venues than their typical arenas, with Indiana promoting every game, whether home or away, as a home game experience.
every game is a home game.
we can’t wait to see you 😈 pic.twitter.com/sQ0r6fgI1r
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 12, 2025
This isn’t to undermine the fact that the WNBA is home to numerous stars deserving of recognition, nor to dismiss the racial aspects influencing these dynamics. It’s also important to acknowledge that Clark benefits from certain biases and the efforts of those who paved the way. However, it’s crucial to recognize that the success of the league isn’t exclusively hers.
Ultimately, while discussions surrounding the WNBA’s perception and promotion continue, the undeniable truth remains: following the financial trail points directly back to Caitlin Clark.
