Caitlin Clark was not expected to be the savior of the WNBA, but she has turned out to be exactly that. As a second-year standout from Iowa, she has become the league’s main attraction, yet she is being overworked to the point of exhaustion. Recently, she sustained a groin injury during a game when the outcome was already determined, with only 12 seconds left on the clock. The question arises: why was she still playing at that point? An even more pressing inquiry is why she is not being treated as the main draw for viewers, rather than just another player on the court.
She is more than just a basketball athlete; she is the driving force behind the league’s economic success, the increase in viewership ratings, the packed arenas, and the newfound attention from major media outlets and even the government. Despite her pivotal role, the WNBA seems incapable of safeguarding its most valuable asset, allowing her to be subjected to rough play and now sidelined due to injury.
USA Today Sports has rightfully highlighted this development, giving it top priority in their news coverage. The impact of Caitlin Clark’s absence was evident when over half of the WNBA’s television audience vanished. This may not sit well with everyone, but it is an undeniable reality. pic.twitter.com/uNWlkoIi1i
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) June 26, 2025
