Caitlin Clark to the WNBA | Page 3 | The Boneyard

Caitlin Clark to the WNBA

bballnut90 said:
I’d bet big money the WNBA will have higher attendance and viewership this year across the board. Her joining the league is not an overnight fix to sustained growth in the league but she’s going to draw a lot of new fans and there will be a ton of eyes on the sport this summer which can be attributed directly to her.
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Which she should be compensated for. I'm hoping due to this, she will make upwards of 10 million dollars or more. Hopefully whoever is representing her will ask for TV revenue and gate receipts.
 
I’m sure this opinion will ruffle some feathers, but I’m not sure if most people jumping on the bandwagon now are going to follow Clark to the WNBA. The WNBA has the disadvantage of playing in The general basketball “off season” (so to speak) and overall the vibe is a lot different than college ball.

I mean, I wish it WOULD translate to many more fans tuning into the WNBA, but I feel like this is something that’s been said many times over the years when another WBB college star enters the league. Is Clark different? Maybe. But I wouldn’t count on it.
 
maple said:
I’m sure this opinion will ruffle some feathers, but I’m not sure if most people jumping on the bandwagon now are going to follow Clark to the WNBA. The WNBA has the disadvantage of playing in The general basketball “off season” (so to speak) and overall the vibe is a lot different than college ball.

I mean, I wish it WOULD translate to many more fans tuning into the WNBA, but I feel like this is something that’s been said many times over the years when another WBB college star enters the league. Is Clark different? Maybe. But I wouldn’t count on it.
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It just takes time. The league was and has been growing before her. It's not like she will hurt that trend.
 
undersized said:
It just takes time. The league was and has been growing before her. It's not like she will hurt that trend.
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Absolutely. I’m sure there will be an increase in fans, but I am just skeptical as to how much. And that isn’t a knock on Clark, obviously, just more of an indication of how difficult it is for the WNBA to grow.
 
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maple said:
I’m sure this opinion will ruffle some feathers, but I’m not sure if most people jumping on the bandwagon now are going to follow Clark to the WNBA. The WNBA has the disadvantage of playing in The general basketball “off season” (so to speak) and overall the vibe is a lot different than college ball.

I mean, I wish it WOULD translate to many more fans tuning into the WNBA, but I feel like this is something that’s been said many times over the years when another WBB college star enters the league. Is Clark different? Maybe. But I wouldn’t count on it.
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I followed Boston and the freshies last year when they transitioned to the WNBA. I don't believe I watched more than 5 WNBA games before last year but last year I got the league pass and pretty much kept up with the Fever and Aces -- I watched like 30 or so games. I think Clark will have her fans that will make the transition. I don't believe it'll be a ridiculous amount but I think Iowa nation and some Clark fans will tune in.
 
GamecockFam said:
I followed Boston and the freshies last year when they transitioned to the WNBA. I don't believe I watched more than 5 WNBA games before last year but last year I got the league pass and pretty much kept up with the Fever and Aces -- I watched like 30 or so games. I think Clark will have her fans that will make the transition. I don't believe it'll be a ridiculous amount but I think Iowa nation and some Clark fans will tune in.
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I think you’re right, and I think your situation will certainly be similar to others. Every bit counts.

I admit I am part of the problem. I try to watch the WNBA, but I just can’t seem to watch it consistently. I have the same problem with the NBA too (though in my lifetime I’ve probably seen more WNBA than NBA). I just find college ball way more interesting.

The only difference is the NBA has tens of millions of fans so me not watching has basically zero impact. :oops:
 
maple said:
I think you’re right, and I think your situation will certainly be similar to others. Every bit counts.

I admit I am part of the problem. I try to watch the WNBA, but I just can’t seem to watch it consistently. I have the same problem with the NBA too (though in my lifetime I’ve probably seen more WNBA than NBA). I just find college ball way more interesting.

The only difference is the NBA has tens of millions of fans so me not watching has basically zero impact. :oops:
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Yes every bit counts, but it's also generational. The audience that is now watching WBB and WNBA is much different than what we saw even a few years ago. Ratings are trending upwards consistently year after year. It's going to take time, no different than the NBA itself.

There's a different appetite for women's sport as a whole from what I'm seeing. Even with how much hockey is revered in Canada, the demand of a women's professional league wasn't high. Now, the new PWHL are filling NHL sized arenas. The league is gaining some traction on television too. The same is happening with soccer. I'm enjoying the growth that's happening overall.
 
Interesting turn of events!
Who saw this coming?

IMG_6747.jpeg
 
The WNBA won't grow because of Caitlin Clarke entering, she will have the same impact as Sabrina Ionescu had a few years back, not more.

The better chance for WNBA to grow is the project to add new franchises, which has been in the talk for at least the last two years, JMO
 
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From France said:
The WNBA won't grow because of Caitlin Clarke entering, she will have the same impact as Sabrina Ionescu had a few years back, not more.

The better chance for WNBA to grow is the project to add new franchises, which has been in the talk for at least the last two years, JMO
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Ionescu did not draw record crowds to every game she played. Clark has moved the needle.

Expansion team in SF/Oak starts next summer.

And Toronto is trying again to win a franchise.
 
Vowelguy said:
Ionescu did not draw record crowds to every game she played. Clark has moved the needle.

Expansion team in SF/Oak starts next summer.

And Toronto is trying again to win a franchise.
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Re Toronto, considering who's behind it, I have a bit more faith. Larry Tannenbaum is well respected in NBA circles and is doing this without MLSE. Some pundits find it interesting and see it as a way to get back at one of the owners of Rogers who killed the original plan.

His game plan still keeps things in Toronto and includes plans that could benefit Canada Basketball in the form of a seperate practice facility. That could end up being better overall long term if it happens.
 
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