The WNBA has seen a surge in viewership this season, particularly with the Indiana Fever and rookie star Caitlin Clark in the spotlight. Despite the Fever’s early exit from the playoffs, overall ratings have significantly improved, drawing the attention of sports media figures, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who have focused on the ratings dip following Clark’s elimination.
Throughout the playoffs, the WNBA has averaged 970,000 viewers over 17 games, marking a remarkable 142% increase compared to the previous postseason. Notably, even without Clark, semifinal matchups have reached impressive viewership numbers, such as nearly 994,000 for a game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty—making it the most-watched semifinal in 22 years.
However, media commentators have fixated on the decrease in ratings without Clark, overshadowing the positive trend for the league overall. Former WNBA star Sue Bird addressed this issue on her podcast, calling out Smith and Sharpe for their negative framing. “Viewership numbers with Caitlin Clark are astronomical,” Bird stated, highlighting that even playoff games without her have seen record viewership compared to prior years.
Bird questioned the motivations behind Smith and Sharpe’s comments, noting their affiliation with ESPN and suggesting that they should be supporting the growth of the WNBA. “It’s not that they can’t be critical,” she said, “but I don’t understand the framing of that.”
Both Smith and Sharpe have publicly remarked on the impact of Clark’s absence, suggesting it has led to lower ratings and attendance. Smith claimed that the audience numbers were not as favorable following Clark’s departure, while Sharpe echoed concerns about attendance drops. However, neither addressed the overall year-over-year growth in viewership, leading Bird to express frustration with their narrative.
Bird’s comments underscore the ongoing challenges the WNBA faces in gaining recognition for its growth and success, despite clear evidence of increasing viewership and engagement. As the league continues to evolve, the importance of constructive media coverage remains crucial to its long-term success.
