The recent Wall Street Journal article, “Inside the WNBA’s Big, Bold, Record-Breaking Year,” has sparked significant backlash among fans. While the piece celebrated stars like A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese, it notably omitted the impressive contributions of Caitlin Clark to the WNBA’s historic season.
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In describing how the WNBA has transitioned from a lesser-recognized league to one commanding public attention, the Wall Street Journal’s social media post drew ire from readers who felt Clark was unfairly left out of the narrative.
Caitlin Clark is the sole reason there are so many new fans of the W! This article is ludicrous!😡
— Monica L (@MLoganLandes) October 17, 2024
Pathetic example of hate and racism in the approach to your article. Caitlin pushed the growth agenda from the beginning, and it helped spark attendance in other arenas as the season went on. Your paper is complete bull💩 if you post this garbage.
— Jonathan Parker (@metalmancpa) October 17, 2024
Leaving Caitlin Clark out discredited this article 😪
— Cameron Neilon (@cjpneilon) October 17, 2024
Clark’s impact on the league is hard to miss. As a rookie, she sold the most jerseys and broke several records, earning the title of WNBA Rookie of the Year for 2024. Her role in leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 cannot be understated, and she has undeniably drawn a new audience to women’s basketball.
Despite her prominence, the Wall Street Journal’s article glossed over her achievements. While it began with the Las Vegas Aces’ move to a larger venue in anticipation of fan turnout—triggered in part by the Fever’s matchups—they failed to mention Clark’s influence in this transition. Instead, she was mentioned only in a passing reference to the 2023 National Championship.
Fans have expressed their frustration on social media, deeming the article “agenda-driven” and devoid of acknowledgment for Clark’s transformative role in the game. While Clark might not be the only standout in the league, her contributions to elevating the WNBA’s profile are noteworthy and deserve recognition.