Fans have labelled WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert as “part of the problem” after she admitted that the league’s popularity is not only due to Caitlin Clark’s box office success.The former women’s collegiate basketball superstar’s star has not waned since her professional debut with the Indiana Fever. The point guard has had an outstanding season, breaking 11 league records and being voted Rookie of the Year.
During her debut season in Indianapolis, she averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Her heroics also resulted in a WNBA average viewership of 657,000, the highest in nearly a quarter of a century.
However, the league commissioner has created controversy by refusing to attribute the evident exponential surge in interest in the game only to the Clark effect. Previously, she stated about the Fever starlet, “She’s clearly an unbelievable player.”
“Came in with an unbelievable following, has brought a lot of new fans to the league,” she said, before applauding some of the Indiana ace’s teammates.
“Looking at our historic season in terms of attendance, Viewership includes Caitlin, Angel Reese, Rickea Jackson, and Cameron Brink. This rookie class will be remembered for a generation.” “No league is ever about a single player.” That one player could be injured, or whatever.
So I believe it’s just to acknowledge that in sports, people look for engaging material and rivalries, which you can’t accomplish as a single person.”
