Despite having a potential golden goose on their hands, the WNBA can’t seem to get out of their own way when it comes to star Caitlin Clark. Clark has unparalleled popularity. Yet the WNBA doesn’t seem to understand that or perhaps is doing everything they can to downplay it.
In fact, recently, several plays have gone viral in which Clark was seemingly targeted by opposing players. But little was actually done to stop it from happening. One play in particular caught the attention of the national media.
One in which Clark was kneed in the stomach and had a fist placed on her throat while on the ground. That resulted in a one-game suspension for Alyssa Thomas, but those hard fouls have seemingly become commonplace for Clark.
The WNBA must do a better job of protecting Caitlin Clark
Protecting Clark from missing time should be the WNBA’s top priority. Remember, last season she missed 31 games due to injury, and they can’t afford their best player to miss significant time when the league is rapidly expanding.
In fact, the League Weasley announced their intentions to play 50 games for the first time during the 2027 season. More games mean more revenue and also more chances for Clarke to get injured. Especially if the league allows players to target her.
The WNBA must fully embrace Caitlin Clark as the face of the league
For starters, they can start calling flagrant fouls consistently and assessing both fines and suspensions for players that seemingly target Clark. Doing so would send a clear message that hard fouls against her won’t be tolerated.
The same should be true for any player, not just Clark, but especially for her considering her popularity. Among other ways to embrace Clark is to actually make her the face of the WNBA.
That might sound like a no-brainer, but they have already screwed up that. Take, for instance, a recent WNBA 30th anniversary poster in which they included stars such as Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers but not Clark.
They even included her teammate Sophie Cunningham despite her averaging only around 10 points per game. I’m not saying that the WNBA is incapable of marketing Clark, quite the opposite.
But they have been reluctant to do so, and it is clearly becoming an issue. Ultimately, the WNBA can’t afford to alienate Clark and her fans considering her massive popularity. Nevertheless, that is exactly what they’re doing.