Right now, the WNBA is a bit of a mess. Their attendance continually fluctuates, and it is trying to keep viewership and sponsorship alive. When Caitlin Clark missed time with an injury recently, the league suffered greatly. How can the WNBA make itself more sustainable? Here are five more things that the WNBA can do to fix the league:
5. Attract international players
The NBA did a great job of marketing by bringing in international players like Yao Ming and Dirk Nowitzki. When that happened, it opened the doors to Asia and Europe. There are many talented international female players around. Why hasn’t the WBNA pursued them more? It would help globalize the women’s game quickly.
4. Better Ownership
How many WNBA owners can you name? Most people can’t name any. The NBA has owners like Jim Dolan, and formerly Mark Cuban, who people knew and related to. If can only help the WNBA if ownership acted like they cared more about the league and were more visible.
3. Get the NBA more involved
NBA players have done a fantastic job of supporting the WNBA players but what about the NBA league office? Adam Silver needs to be more hands-on in fixing issues that are affecting the league. Or if not Adam Silver, hire a commissioner with more clout that the players will respect.
2. Hire better quality officials
If you’ve watched a WNBA game recently, you will see TONS of fouls on virtually every play. Some of the plays are so violent that they literally look like assault and battery charges should be filed. The referees want to let the players play but to what extent? What happened with Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham the other night against Connecticut looked more like MMA than the WNBA.
1. Give players more star treatment
Both the NBA and the WNBA are star-driven. Players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and others were given star treatment by the officials who made sure that the “product” was not endangered. Caitlin Clark’s presence has helped every city in the league with attendance and merchandise sales. Others like Brianna Stewart and A’ja Wilson have earned protection as well from the incessant fouling. If one of those players misses extended time with an injury it could really cost the league. Calling more touch fouls will help the star players remain as untouched as possible.
