The WNBA’s Revolution: Caitlyn Clark Is Changing the Game, But Some Are Too Stubborn to See It

“Stop biting the hand that feeds you.”
—Colin Cowherd

In what can only be described as a watershed moment in women’s basketball, Caitlyn Clark has risen from being a sensational college athlete to becoming the undisputed face of the WNBA—and not everyone is happy about it. The transformation is jaw-dropping. Merchandise sales have skyrocketed by 500%, attendance at games has increased by 40%, and suddenly, the league that was once teetering on the brink of irrelevance is now thriving. But in the midst of this growth, **veteran WNBA players are resisting the change. And some, like Kelsey Plum, aren’t afraid to show it.

Why? Because Clark’s meteoric rise has exposed something ugly lurking in the WNBAjealousy. And, according to Colin Cowherd, it’s about time someone said it out loud.

THE GOLDEN GOOSE: CAITLYN CLARK’S UNSTOPPABLE IMPACT

If you’re wondering how a single player has transformed the WNBA into what it is today, look no further than Caitlyn Clark. The numbers speak for themselves:

Merchandise sales up 500%.

Attendance up 40% across the league.

Franchises turning profits that were previously unthinkable.

To put it bluntly, Caitlyn Clark has singlehandedly changed the financial and cultural fabric of the league. From being a struggling product with almost no mainstream appeal to now commanding millions in merchandise sales and broadcasting rights, she has turned the WNBA into a legitimate business.

As Cowherd passionately points out, “Caitlyn Clark is the jet fuel that has propelled the WNBA forward.” It’s as if the WNBA has been upgraded from a Motel 6 to the Four Seasons, and the Golden Goose herself has brought the entire league luxury and respect.

But while Clark’s dominance is undeniable, some veteran players, including Kelsey Plum, are frustrated with the attention she’s receiving. According to Cowherd, Plum’s recent jabs at Clark only serve to highlight the pettiness and resentment that’s brewing within the league.

A SHOT FIRED: KELSEY PLUM’S DIG AT CAITLYN CLARK

Kelsey Plum, the talented Las Vegas Aces guard, recently made headlines when she took a shot at Clark, suggesting that the focus on Clark’s success was unwarranted and distracting.

On national television, Plum, who has had her fair share of success in the league, questioned Clark’s prominence and suggested that the WNBA should be focusing on more than just one player. But as Cowherd argues, Plum’s comment wasn’t just misguided—it was disrespectful.

Why? Because Caitlyn Clark is the reason the WNBA is no longer flying budget airlines, struggling for visibility, and failing to sell jerseys. Clark brought the WNBA into the mainstream. She made the league unavoidable, and her star power created a ripple effect felt by every player in the league, including those who didn’t want to admit it.

Cowherd’s frustration is clear:

“You guys were flying budget airlines. Now, thanks to Caitlyn Clark, you’re flying private. Why are you complaining?”

It’s an analogy that hits hard. The WNBA was a joke, barely scraping by, with most teams struggling to break even. Now, they’re flying private jets and staying in luxury hotels. All because of Clark’s undeniable talent and marketability.

THE PETTINESS EXPOSED: ALL-STAR VOTING REVEALS DEEP DIVIDES

As if the tension couldn’t get worse, the All-Star voting results added fuel to the fire. Despite Clark’s undeniable statistical dominance—leading the league in points and threes, breaking records, and bringing in fans—she ranked only ninth in player voting for the All-Star game. This was astonishing, considering she is widely regarded as the face of the league and a generational talent.

So why did her fellow players rank her so low? According to Cowherd, this wasn’t about basketball performance—it was about petty resentment. It was about older players feeling overshadowed by the meteoric rise of a young star who came into the league and changed everything overnight.

The veterans didn’t like the attention Clark was getting, and some were actively working to undermine her place in the league. Instead of embracing her as the superstar she is, they chose to jeopardize her legacy through backhanded votes. This blatant disregard for Clark’s undeniable contribution to the WNBA speaks volumes about the fragility of egos in professional sports.

THE NBA COMPARISON: CAITLYN CLARK AS THE NEXT MICHAEL JORDAN

Cowherd is quick to draw parallels between Clark and Michael Jordan, and for good reason. Just as Jordan’s arrival in the NBA transformed the league into a global phenomenon, Clark’s emergence has done the same for the WNBA.

Both players came in with instant star power.

Both players were immediately must-watch TV.

Both players forced veteran players to adapt to their newfound dominance.

And just as Jordan faced resistance from veteran NBA players who couldn’t handle being overshadowed by a young upstart, Clark is now experiencing the same from some of the WNBA’s veteran players.

This comparison is uncomfortable for some, but it’s undeniable. The WNBA’s future is rooted in Caitlyn Clark. As Cowherd says, “The future of the WNBA runs through Caitlyn Clark,” and any veteran player who doesn’t see that is only hurting themselves.

THE CHOICE: EMBRACE THE WAVE OR GET LEFT BEHIND

As the WNBA rides its current wave of success, fueled by Clark’s rise, veteran players are faced with a choice:

Embrace the wave of success that Clark represents

      and

align themselves with the future of the league

      .

Resist the change and risk being left behind.

The financial future of the league depends on Clark’s continued success, and the players who support her—like Lexi Hull, Aaliyah Boston, and Sophie Cunningham—are positioning themselves for long-term success. These players have embraced Clark’s rise, knowing that her success benefits everyone in the league.

But those who choose to fight against her will only face continued frustration. Just like the NBA’s veterans who struggled with Jordan’s rise, the resistant WNBA players will soon find themselves irrelevant.

THE FINAL WORD: CLARK IS THE FUTURE, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

Caitlyn Clark isn’t just a player; she’s a game-changer. Her rise is transforming the WNBA, from ratings and merchandise sales to social media engagement. And as Cowherd points out, she’s doing it with the type of star power that the WNBA has never seen before.

Veteran players who refuse to acknowledge Clark’s role in this transformation are doing a disservice to themselves. The future of the WNBA is now tied to her success, and fighting against that reality is futile.

As Cowherd so succinctly put it, “Stop biting the hand that feeds you”. If you’re in the WNBA, it’s time to ride the wave and embrace the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Caitlyn Clark represents. Or, as history has shown time and time again, you’ll be left in the dust while the rest of the league soars to new heights.

This is the Caitlyn Clark era. Whether you like it or not, it’s the future of women’s basketball, and it’s only just beginning.