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The WNBA set multiple viewership and ratings records in 2024 with the arrival of Caitlin Clark. With the former Iowa superstar playing her first season in the pros, the league has looked stronger than it has ever been. While the WNBA became highly sought after, the NBA ratings dropped by 28% a month into the new season, per Front Office Sports.
The dip in ratings hasn’t been limited to this season. Per the same report, the NBA has had this problem for years. Four of the least-watched championship series in the last decade happened in the last four seasons.
In the "New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce" podcast, Clark weighed in on why the NBA is experiencing that problem:
“I feel like the average basketball fan doesn’t understand how good NBA players are and they think they’re not trying," Clark said. "I promise you, they’re trying. They’re just so good it looks like they’re not trying.”
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After taking in the perspective of fans, Caitlin Clark commented about the style of play:
“The physicality of the league has changed a lot. I wasn’t around when it was much more physical. Maybe people want more beef and physicality and people think it [play] has gone soft. I think the skill has just changed. … It’s gonna be different than when MJ played. It’s gonna be different in 10 years than it is now.”
The WNBA Rookie of the Year winner gave a third potential reason for the NBA ratings drop:
“It’s competing against a lot of football right now. You have to take that into consideration. Football is just America’s favorite thing!”
The reasons Caitlin Clark gave about the rating drop weren’t new. Former NBA players like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal complained about too many 3-pointers, lack of physicality and rivalry among players. Load management, which fans have moaned about, is another issue.
Caitlin Clark would love a 4-point line
To spice up the game, a 4-point line has been introduced by some basketball leagues across the globe. It is an idea that Caitlin Clark did not hesitate to endorse.
In the same podcast, the Indiana Fever star said:
“I love that. Let’s do it! It’s a great idea. Or, we can get just like two spots [for a 4-point shot].”
Fans have already expressed their discontent watching players jack up too many 3s. Only time will tell if the WNBA or the NBA will introduce that concept to give the floundering ratings a boost.
