Why Caitlin Clark is CRITICAL to WNBA’s future | Colin Cowherd Podcast 

Caitlin Clark is the only reason I've ever watched an WNBA game. She is pivotal for the sport.

The way the WNBA is handling Caitlin Clark demonstrates why they have lost money for 27 years with the greatest talent in the world. Caitlin is the Tiger Woods of the WNBA. Anything the WNBA does to undermine Caitlin undermines itself and its players. Caitlin is the Golden Goose.

A lot of these players don't sound like the WNBA has given them any media training

CC is the only reason why I want to watch the WNBA!

Former WNBA player Candice Wiggins. Picked #3 in the draft. Gave an interview years ago about her experience in the WNBA. Pretty Black woman that was straight. She made the comment that the lockerroom was toxic to her. They at times were trying to injure her. Basically was trying to run her out of the league. Can see some of the parallels with what is happening to CC. Until they get that toxicity out the WNBA. Has never made a penny in since it started. NBA covers the bills is the only reason it's still going. It will never become profitable to pay players more. If they don't get rid of the toxic atmosphere its created for certain players. Will never succeed. I think it was out kick that showed the interview.

I watch WNBA now bcuz of Caitlin Clark🏀💫✨

We are not new WNBA fams, we are Caitlin.Clark fans!!

I am not saying she's the most important player in the league, but I could not name you another WNBA player to save my life.

Seriously, tell me how many of ya’ll ever said “I can’t wait to get home to put on that WNBA game…” lol

With all the Legends of the WNBA I never watched one game. However Caitlin with the explosion in the Ncaa I started watching. Even now in the WNBA. Its the only reason Ive watch.

They keep on promoting this Clark/Reese rivalry. It is not. Clark is a guard and Reese is a forward. It is not a Magic/Bird rivalry. The only reason WNBA is in the limelight is because of Clark. The numbers do not lie.

Caitlin is more important to the WNBA, than any singular player has ever been to any other league.

Why are most people willingly and nonchalantly accepting the notion that Caitlin Clark is not the best or the most talented player. I’ve seen and following WNBA for years - I have never seen a player with the three point range, the shooting touch or the court vision as a passer. NEVER. The eye test is more important than many ppl are willing to admit.

Maybe just say Caitlin Clark is elevating the game - because it has nothing to do with Reese. I watch CC and could care less about the rest of the league. These two seem to be making a segment with a bunch of word salads - what are they even talking about? There's 1 WNBA player people are watching...period.

“Poor Britney Griner…” She’s not Mandela, she broke the law in a foreign country, let’s not get it confused.

I watch for CC but have gained awareness and appreciation for their other players.

I feel seen. It's just like Nick said: I came to the WNBA because I was curious about the Caitlin Effect, and now I'm amazed at how good Aja Wilson is.

Brittney Griner went to prison for having drugs illegally Second, Kaitlyn Clark should leave the WNBA immediately they need her. She doesn’t need them go overseas where they will. Love you instead of trying to destroy you.

Clark wasn’t recruited by any of the big name schools in college. She beat the best teams with less talented teams. She’s not super athletic or tall. She’s definitely an underdog story

Nick just babbling about nothing at all 🤦‍♂️

Caitlin flows ... I attended 2 WNBA Championships with my daughter. Not very fun. With Caitlin, it's exciting.

This segment were going to look back on years from now and say DAMN. Couldn't have been more right.

Brittney Griner ended up in prison, because she disrespected another country, and their laws. Needless to say, that was not a basketball play :)

Unless Caitlin Clark is playing, I'll never watch the WNBA after seeing how trashy some of these fouls are.

Let’s be honest Caitlin is the only reason anyone is halfway interested. Whether it’s for her playing or just the controversy she’s inadvertently caused

I want to compare passes from teamates and blitzes of CC vs JU Ju rookie year and I know it wont compare

Angel Reese is the only reason why I started watching the wnba again from when it first started in 1997

Instead of masculine women who look like Fred Flintstone and Mean Joe Greene... the WNBA has started bringing a femininity to it - -a fashion element to pregame arrivals .....many of these women are sleek and beautiful...... Cam Brink will be dearly missed ...... Angel leads the way there ... and Nika Muhl ..... and....and...... wait a minute? What the hell has happened to me? I'm a 70 year old male from Florida and I see Caitlin as my granddaughter ..... good, hell .... when do NFL camps start for Christ sake ?........

The league did not grow and wont if they continue to be more concerned with being an activist league instead of a sports league. I heard an ESPN lady the other day say one of the pillars of the league is to be an activist or something like that. That is a turn off. Tom Brady, Jordan, Bird, and a host of others never used the league for an agenda. These women who are jealous saying they were here first and all, had u just kept it about basketball you could have had more shine than you got and grow this league more than it did. But no you had to bring your personal agendas which kept it from growing.

I think some of the animosoty out there is less about Caitlin herself and more about 'that' segment of the fan base - the ones who mocked the league for years - and those who still mock - the WNBA and players, still make it about anything but the game, and now want their feet kissed and think they have a serious opinion for having, in, many cases, barely paid attention for all of a month.

I don't even watch a game or highlights of the WNBA but I will watch CC's highlights and sometimes watches her games for a few minutes.

Missing the point guys. This issue is not sports, The issues are merit, racism and sexism which is why if Caitlin is hurt she should sue the NBA and ESPN for an unprecedented amount

Happy to hear that you will be discussing the League more bc you are one of the few commentators who is most objective and add the marketing/business standpoint. First time watching Women's Basketball this much on a collegiate level since Clark. Never thought I'd ever watch an entire WNBA game in my lifetime. But Caitlin… Is just… Special. And we will all see this over the years to come. Her character and how she handles things right now speak VOLUMES right now. It is true that sports do not create character… They reveal it.

Angel Reese wishes she had this kind of influence. Only a true great person and athlete can do what CC does

Magic Johnson posted this in Twitrer/X and possibly the biggest compliment to Caitlin so far: "When I think about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s impact on the game, they remind me a lot of Larry Bird and me. Our first meeting, Indiana State vs. Michigan State, in the NCAA Championship set the all-time viewership record for men’s basketball. Caitlin and Angel’s 2023 NCAA Championship matchup and their 2024 Elite Eight games were the highest viewership records at the time."

Caitlin is the only reason I started watching!

It was an interesting discussion until Nick Wright took over and wouldn't shut up. Comparing CC to Kardasian was stupid.

From the profitability standpoint. Pros & cons to target a bigger market share. Creating your own competitor for a larger piece of the pie. $$$ bottom line. Sad that overseas WBB is profitable or break even as against the WNBA on welfare.

Rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese? Cameron Brink's injury? Maybe, some people find that noteworthy of their attention. But for me, they are not. What is worthy to watch the WNBA and news of it worthy of my attention is ONLY Caitlin Clark. She is very much different from all the players in the WNBA. Even the way she plays, her demeanor, her professionalism, her maturity, etc. are worthy of my attention rather than the storylines that media put out regarding the WNBA and its players. That is what the WNBA should look into and analyze to be able to capitalize on Caitlin Clark's popularity. It is not the rivalry, the shenanigans of butch thuggish players, the jealousy and pettiness in the WNBA (not only of players but also of coaches and leadership), etc. that I think people are tuned in to the WNBA. I believe the WNBA needs to be overhauled totally to provide a platform of talented players who are professional like Caitlin Clark to thrive on and show their talents for the enjoyment of the viewing public.

Caitlin brings people to the W and then they see Aja Wilson and stay. Aja is insane.

I always love these Caitlin Clark segments. LOL

Spot on guys! 🎯💯 Keep it up. Plus Keep up the political commentary Colin. Your voice of reason and truth is very much needed, and reaching people that need to hear it. 🙏🔥

She definitely SAVED the WNBA. But they need to not fumble this....unfortunately they already fumbled the Olympics thing

Caitlin Clark clash with Angel is the major reason that helped raise Caitlin Clark profile and also this years female WNBA draft class top ten too helped raise the WNBA viewership

Caitlin Clark is the most popular player in the world and as far as impact she is the biggest star in living memory. James is King James but he didn't save a league. Caitlyn Clark games will make up half of all attendance no other athlete in documented history can say that. She ain't just a player. I know she isn't the best right now.

I live in Indianapolis and am trying to get tickets to a game and the only ones available are nosebleed seats.

This noise around Caitlin Clark isn't that interesting. The way she is playing and interacting on the basketball court with her teammates is. I'm tired of race talk. 'm tired of faux controversies. Nothing is controversial about Caitlin and fans are fans, they're always over the top. I don't care what goes on in the toxic world of social media either. Clark can be the first step for the WNBA to expand. Paige second. JuJu third. But the WNBA has to get out of 1980s Bad Boy NBA club 'em bully basketball to keep viewers. It's not a compelling product. People want to see A'ja Wilson play, not get knocked to the floor and have to go into concussion protocol every other game.

Understatement of the year in sports.

Great segment. You earned a subscription Mr Cowherd!

Love these two together. Great stuff!

Nick Wright professional word salad non reaearch lazy reporting

Gooooo Caitlin!!!!💪🏻🥇🙌🏻

I have never watched the WNBA. I started watching Clark in college and moving onto the WNBA, I now watch games she is playing in.

Speaking of Griner, why is nobody talking about that video of her that has surfaced which really brings into question of the gender. It just seems like its being swept under the rug. It has to be acknowledged and an answer given. I dont understand why this is not being scrutinized

But nobody is really watching they are watching clips and posting their thoughts. Until we get fans that like basketball it will always be like this

❤CC22

CC took hill billies (relatively speaking) to two straight national title games beating power houses with 3-7+ high school all-Americans…. Underdog

Nick doesn’t get it. I like Nick but he’s a poor student of individual human psychology. There is no way you can compare Caitlin Clark’s situation to Paris Hilton. Colin gets it. Every human is a collection of a bunch of traits, experiences, and reactions. It’s where they are now is what is what we can judge

Caitlin Clark is a once in a generation athlete. She broke just about every college womens' basketball record you can think of including men's. And yes, she is a white girl playing basketball 🏀 her charm and grace has gotten her millions of fans. Caitlin Clark has over 20 million reasons to be who she is. The WNBA is blessed to have CC turn the game upside-down and bring over millions of new fans.

Regarding Tennis… I miss Kyrgios😩 Most exciting, controversial year of tennis year ever. And one of my favorite Wimbledon matches between Kyrgios/Djokovic that year. Miss him.

Every time I watch Nick Wright offering his pontificating words of wisdom, I can't help but remember his withering attacks on Tom Brady leading up to his last Super Bowl win. But he's not the only one who fell on his sword after ripping Brady's chances of nabbing another ring, and I hope he treats CC with respect as opposed to how he treated the GOAT!!!

They’re still losing $50 million + this year, not much is going to change even with Caitlin.

The truly unbelievable thing is that an WNBA franchise is worth $90m 😂❤ When the finals last year attracted 700k I'm sure the head office was over the moon. But what happens when post-Caitlin her games are averaging 2.4m? Well apparently nothing because the WNBA, players and experts are all in concensus that its organic growth in women's basketball 😂❤

100% on someone like Aja. She is amazing I wouldn’t of ever know her name unless I was a cc fan. So yes like Cc has said her self a 100x. The wnba have always been great. Eyes just weren’t on it.

The ABA was pretty good,,But the NBA basically bought them out. Basically put the ABA on welfare by creating the WNBA....The ABA team in Hartford had a lot of fans..Dawn Staley played, Jen Risotto, all of the best players...??

Some people get famous by setting every collegiate basketball record, men or women. If you walk up to 100 people, anywhere in this country, and ask them when they ever heard of the WNBA, 90% of them or more would say, maybe 3 months ago.

CC gets triple teamed by "PROS" And pulls a Double Double! AGAIN NO OTHER WOMAN HAS DONE THAT SINCE 2015! CC DID. Just wait.

Great insight Nick! Your takes when you exclude numerical data be on point. lol Men lie but not all the time and you spoke truth in this instance. Quite a sound, non-polarizing take! I applaud you.

Completely agree

Interesting point ... the Tiger metaphor.

The quality of the wnba broadcasts are dismal. The games feel Ike minor league baseball. They need more professionalism in their presentation.

Lebron is a dope! Good show Colin!

CC’s style sneaks up on you. You could miss what she does! Multiple things she adds. She sets up the team, everyone is a part of it if they feel like she sees they want it. She is a play maker. She is more than a 3 shooter! Don’t limit her

With WNBA players injured, how exciting if Caitlin Clark plays in the Paris Olympics!

NEVER.... in my life did I ever believe that I would EVER care to watch a WNBA or womens college game. I work security at a sports bar. And without ever hearing of C-Clark I just caught a quick glimpse of her highlights and immediately was drawn to her skills. I ONLY care about games she is playing in. I want to see what she is going to do next on the court. She is like seeing Jordan for the first time.

This may upset some but please listen. This year what made the WNBA spark in live and watched attendance and jersey sales is because the white population fell in love with Caitlin where before this demographic did not have individuals that they connected with. PLEASE, I do NOT say this because of racism, but the real fact is that demographic populations, like whites in this case, identify more with this mid-western phenomenon than some talented black athletes. I am not discounting the value that black athletes play because proportionally they far exceed any demographic in the league. What I am saying is that the WHITE POPULATION RADICALLY TURNED THE SWITCH TO ON IN THE WNBA resulting in epic growth experienced. Look at the in house fans and the number 22 is on their backs more than any other number…and they are the white fans that have PAID MONETARILY a lot resulting in such attendance numbers that the commissioner, the first weeks of the season ALREADY knew they would have the finances to fork the bill out for EVERY TEAM TRAVELING CHARTER. In this past this was proposed but radically turned down because of insufficient funds. I do not put down any race or demographic and only ask you to consider the realities of what I said. Wishing ALL great success and thanking all for making it exciting as new fans have tuned in FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Simply put I never watched till CC came into to league and it opened my eyes to other players but CC is the draw

The WNBA has to WANT to be saved, to actually be saved.

Clarke is giving them a raise, private jets- they’d better be nice to their new BOSS

Clark / Reese Jordan / Bird Redo the McD commercial with them two ❤ That's a fuckin great idea

Economics 101. Do not turn off potential users of your product. This is what they did. Truth......

Always blaming everyone else for Britney Griner getting arrested and not blaming Britney herself.

Reese has size and maybe strength but a very unorthodox game. Not very athletic or skilled. She is getting her numbers but Aesthetics is lacking for me.

I still don’t watch the wnba

The Fever are now playing well as a team. They are starting to win... regularly.

It's not true that in Europe some women's basketball leagues are profitable. Few countries pay way better than WNBA pays, but it's not because it's profitable. It's because the countries leaders subsidizes the league... and very generously. Most generous leagues in europe are Turkey and Russia.... we all know that it's dictatures where President can forward money where they want. Sport is big way to boost their prestige for country leaders.

Often overlooked is the most dominant team in organized sports is team USA. The Women’s Olympic team runs through the world every 4-years, with ease. BTW, Clark should have been on the Olympic roster. Missed opportunity here.

Colin you and Nick are getting better about C. Clark. Keep up the good work okay Red Winstead from the dirty south Salito Mississippi ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Caitlin will learn the speed of the game and bring basketball skills that makes it more exciting

The WNBA isnt popular because of women's drama. It doesnt sell. Not racism, not misogyny, not anything.

Caitlin clark is the best❤️❤️❤️

What's sad is these WNBA players could all be a Fresh and Fit after hours, these chicks are just petty.

Women’s basketball will make money overseas until the first season of Real Housewives of Kiev airs.

Caitlin is just better, period!

Here's the truth, I didn't watch one of the NBA Finals Games at all but I've tried to watch every CC game. The similarity with Tiger is similar in terms of a dynamic player that emerges and stands above everyone else. I'm sure I'm not the only game more interested in CC's games than this year's NBA finals.

Jim Jones, Crete Indiana and the book of Titus and Acts.

Paige is super talented & a very well-rounded player who can do it all at extremely high levels, but she's just not all that close to CC in terms of hyper-elite greatness, & has an even larger gap in what really matters for the W...excitement factor. She's tough as nails, but even more slight of build than CC, with an injury history already at such a young age. JuJu could be that next big women's star, but I doubt even she will capture us the way CC has...but she's so young, so we'll see. JuJu's problem is the same as Paige's, she just doesn't have a playing style that has nearly the same entertainment/excitement value of CC. CC is so captivating because of the way she moves on the court, her deep shooting prowess, & her amazing sniper passing. Her movement, her shooting, & her passing all remind us of the men's game & that's what equates to her singular success in delivering new fans. I hear so many talking heads say that CC is the spark...she's a whole lot more than a spark...she's literally the only player to date that has ever played remotely like she does, which happens to be a very exciting brand of BB that actually gets folks to watch....I do think she'll spark the next generation to mimic her playing style, but that'll take a bit of time to produce some new stars to keep this thing going.

Learn from David Stern and how he promoted the NBA with Magic and Bird.

I didn’t care for nick wright. On the POD I love the guy Collin and nick great pod combo

If Caitlin isn't on Olympic team, my interest in the WNBA is over. I love sports not drama.