Dear WNBA Players: Send Caitlin Clark a thank you card
Nobody cared for your league before she arrived.
Disclaimer: I’ve never watched a single full WNBA game, something I can say for lots of people who suddenly remembered there was a league of women playing high level basketball. Enter Caitlin Clark, and that picture has definitely changed. Everybody at least knows about the league and/or Clark.
But if you interviewed a moderate portion of the league’s players today, I bet they’d roll their eyes and find a professional way to whine about the exposure the former Iowa icon has gotten since entering the league and taking it by storm. All the while, they forget who offered them a newfound exposure that doesn’t revolve around a niche. The same old human impulse to complain when the attention isn’t on you is to blame, but most of the players are simply mad they weren’t the ones who brought the boys and girls to the yard to watch.
They showed this disgust by aggressively fouling, needling, shoving right up until the idea of a foul could be called, and abusing Clark every chance they could get. Outside of shoving a knee into her chest, they did it. People haven’t seen that kind of solo player abuse since the Detroit Pistons did their best to tear apart Michael Jordan on his way to the basket. It’s intentional, and should be removed by the league next year. No sport needs that dirty, petty crap. Instead of going for her head, just shake her hand and say thank you.
WNBA players should all send Clark a Christmas card with appreciation stuffed inside, the kind that says thanks for making our sport relevant. She will also get tons of worthy women paid in the future, and that extends to television contracts and player salaries. Endorsement deals were never a real fixture in the league, but should become a stable asset for players moving forward.
Clark did all of that, including winning Rookie of the Year honors and setting numerous rookie records. Clark played in 19 of 22 games this season that grossed over a million viewers, making her a marketable face for the entire league and pulling in those casual observers who needed a face to root for and get behind.
The best part about Clark, though, is how she handled the heat, love, and scrutiny. She didn’t blow up once! She was a pro’s pro, setting the on-court records but also showing young players and the ones on the way up through college how to handle high level adversity. Most would have caved under the pressure of having millions more eyes on you as you begin your professional career. Clark rose to the occasion, never letting the abuse and bullshit sway her mind or play. That’s a next level talent.
Due to one Caitlin Clark, millions of young girls will now see a path to the pros that doesn’t begin and end with a crappy salary and isn’t located in the corner of the sports internet. They’ll see the joy and precision one woman brought to a forgotten league. Women in the WNBA aren’t paid nearly enough, making their extra change through endorsements. Slowly but surely, that should change with more eyes on games and that’s not just Clark. She lit the torch, but the league needs to know what to do with the fire.
Clark’s Indiana Fever were eliminated last night from the playoffs, but not before she set another rookie record for player performance in a playoff game. Days after being held to 11 points, she dumped 25 on the advancing Connecticut team in her final performance of 2024. Next year will become even more exciting now that a dent has been made.
The rest of the league just needs to get in line and respect the lift given. It’s one thing to put on a jersey and play the best in the world, but it’s quite another to have crowds pay and show up to watch. Anybody who watched baseball in 2020 would agree. No matter what sport, the fans fuel the game and its growth.
All of her opponents and even teammates shouldn’t forget to send her a thank you note. Climb over the ego and bypass the hesitation in giving credit where it’s due, and just show appreciation. Without Clark, the WNBA would still be a neglected league.
She brought eyes. Now they need to show her the proper respect.
Photo Credit: Darron Cummings/AP