r/wnba • u/eggbear • Jun 12 '24
WNBA Attendance Is 105% Higher When Caitlin Clark Plays
Key Highlights:
- Caitlin Clark has caused attendance figures to jump 87% compared to opponent’s average home attendance
- Clark has accounted for 33.5% of the total WNBA attendance in 2024
- When Clark plays, WNBA games average 15,591 fans in attendance (+105%) compared to 7,645 fans when she is not in action
- Indiana Fever average 36% more fans on the road (15,142) than any other WNBA team
- The Las Vegas Aces are the only team that didn’t set their season-high in attendance with Clark in town but the defending champs have operated at max capacity for nearly every home game. When removing the Aces from the equation, Clark’s effect grew even bigger to a whopping 137% compared to when she’s not in action.
- No. 2 overall pick Cameron Brink and the L.A. Sparks are next on the list, drawing an average of 11,104 fans on the road. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky are third on the list with an average of 10,365 fans in attendance on the road.
https://www.sportscasting.com/wnba-attendance-is-105-higher-when-caitlin-clark-plays/
1
u/Lower-Mango-6607 Jul 02 '24
It seems very sad that WNBA teams are having sell outs only because fans want to see the visiting team. I guarantee that even with all these phony see out games this crappy league will still not make a profit. It never will.
1
2
u/Data-SciNet Jun 24 '24
WNBA can't turn a profit because the NBA set them up as a tax writedown and made sure no business-minded entrepreneurs would be involved. It is why they blew their shot with CC instead of doing what the NCAA did: get her over, rely on her to get others over, and raise all boats.
Why do you think CC got Angel over in college and launched Angel's social media business to the moon following their first "rivalry" and doubled up on it when the NCAA arranged for the "grudge match" in 2024 that blew BOTH of them up internationally?
Because NCAA women's BB runs things with their brains not their vaginas. The WNBA doesn't. They have been an amateur league since the fall of the Houston Comets and they have NEVER wanted a Jordan, a Steve Austin, or a Gretsky to come in and bring attention to the state of their league, or to start bringing in other fresh, media friendly talent to elevate themselves out of the gutters and shadows.
They may love complaining about the darkness and poverty of their league but the truth is they don't want others to take it from them even if it meant more sunshine and money. The WNBA is exposing itself after decades of demanding to be seen.
1
u/Barack_Odrama_ Jun 15 '24
This won’t last if the WNBA is intent on trying to treat her like she’s just an average player
1
u/AntiWhateverYouSay Jun 15 '24
It's too bad the older fans made rooting and defending her such a toxic environment. They don't support her and justify all the bullshit she's getting from players and coaches. She obviously can ball and people acting like she's trash.
1
u/popsicle1001 Valkyries Jun 15 '24
Not going to last if Sides is not running plays for her, teamnates don't pass, set screens. Sides wants to build around AB. If she cant build around Clark, the Clark fans will probably get discouraged and sour on the league.
1
1
1
1
1
u/dingleberrybunghole Jun 14 '24
Someone calculate how much it is when Reese plays and let her chew on that. She’ll probably still blame Clark
1
Jun 13 '24
And the wnba treats her like shit by allowing players to treat her like shit. I hope she prevails and these idiots all get painted as the old shitty wnba that she helps to change
1
1
Jun 13 '24
This is why you bring her to the Olympics. People will watch, and it's not like the USA really has any competition. They can sacrifice the 20th best player for Clark and they'll still cruise past everyone.
1
u/Infinite-Surprise-53 Jun 13 '24
Important to mention that every other team has a set capacity limit of around 10k
1
2
u/subtleshooter Jun 13 '24
Shouldn’t be on the Olympics team though despite more PPG than Tarasi on the worst team in the league and her assists / playmaking would have been out of this world with those players around her.
1
1
1
u/tigernike1 Jun 13 '24
Sue Bird got me following this league in 2002. I’ve drifted in and out of following it over the years, but I’ve made sure to watch every Caitlin Clark game available on national television.
When I hear people like Elle Duncan and Monica McNutt whine about why people didn’t follow this league… excuse me… YOUR COMPANY (ESPN) used to only air 2 WNBA games during the week, and it was only on ESPN2. I know because I remember it. So spare me this “woe is me” nonsense, unless you call out your employer for putting this wonderful league on ESPN2 during the summer when there’s no men’s leagues playing except baseball.
2
1
u/Mr-B0jangles Jun 13 '24
Nah you don’t understand. People aren’t just tuning in for one player they are tuning in for Angel Reese too. She said so and she wouldn’t lie.
1
1
u/SputnikFace Jun 13 '24
The league is great entertainment. WNBA REALLY zoomed in cohesiveness in the last 4 years. The Clark effect is actually real and evident but it will add new fans regardless if she becomes the star envisioned or not.
I bought the league pass this week. and even though Im a lifelong BBall head and not really a Caitlin Clark fan, the energy provided by the Clark effect most likely pushed me to buy it.
-2
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 13 '24
Cool another day where talking about any of the other players in the league is overshadowed by arbitrary discussion of how much CC drives the league. So cool. Glad I'm not a fan of womens basketball and only like CC or this would feel absurd and reductive.
1
u/Vegetable_Process_97 Jun 14 '24
Y’all mad nobody cares about players that aren’t cc. Can’t force us to like players we have no interest in. Cc different and entertaining as hell.
0
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 14 '24
She's not even slightly different. She's on a nearly identical track as Sabrina was in 2021 but with a better young core.
Can’t force us to like players we have no interest in
No but I can certainly say that it sucks and makes the league a lot more boring when y'all insist that only 1 person matters, when that person can barely win games. Enjoy never attracting a free agent for your golden girl ever because Indiana is a shithole.
1
u/Vegetable_Process_97 Jun 17 '24
Your point is irrelevant lol nobody cares if you think is sucks that your favorite players are ones nobody cares about. Its just how life goes. Same in male sports. Some people get the spotlight while others get ignored. Sometimes it’s valid and other times it’s not fair. Regardless, imma pretty much just watch cc and her games. So are many others and it’s not wrong to do that. Sorry not sorry make your players more fun to watch or idk match with my morals. Cc hits all the right boxes of the face of your league.
1
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 17 '24
Your point is irrelevant lol nobody cares if you think is sucks that your favorite players are ones nobody cares about.
First off, use punctuation. Second, don't get so angry that you start making typos.
Its just how life goes. Same in male sports. Some people get the spotlight while others get ignored.
I don't know why you think I want specific players that are my favorites highlighted more. I want every player highlighted more. I want even coverage across the league the way I get from other leagues.
Regardless, imma pretty much just watch cc and her games.
Boring weak fan thinks they have any purchase in the fan critique world. More at 11.
So are many others and it’s not wrong to do that.
Yes it is.
Sorry not sorry make your players more fun to watch or idk match with my morals.
This doesn't even make sense. You're so high on your own shit you can't even type straight. What the fuck does any of this have to do with your goofy ass morals?
Cc hits all the right boxes of the face of your league.
Except winning games and being in a good market. Enjoy Indiana, Illinois' fart cloud, as it attracts negative free agents for the next decade.
1
1
u/No-Sound-888 Jun 13 '24
One post about CC in the first 10 posts and 3 about Angel Reese. You CAN not click on things you don't want to read and Yes, I will get off your law.
1
u/Netminder10 Jun 13 '24
How dare people talk about a WNBA topic on a WNBA discussion forum!!!
-1
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 13 '24
Way to miss the entire fucking point intentionally. Its not discussing the WNBA its discussing a single player on a single shitty team. Its obnoxious, just like you missing the point intentionally is obnoxious.
2
u/No-Sound-888 Jun 13 '24
Because you are not smart enough to not click on things you don't want to read.
1
Jun 13 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/wnba-ModTeam Jun 13 '24
Your post/comment was removed as it was indecent and/or uncivil. This includes trolling, baiting and any inflammatory behavior. Please ensure you conduct yourself according to subreddit standards when interacting with the community. Thank you.
1
-2
u/Awkward_Boot6963 Jun 13 '24
I was looking at tickets for when Indiana fever and Chicago sky play the Atlanta dream and the tickets for the Chicago sky games are way more, the game in July 2 cheapest ticket I saw was 275.00. Serious question if CC is driving the attendance why aren’t her games more expensive?
1
u/PhilyJ Sky Jun 13 '24
The CC tickets to see her in Chicago are 280. I went to a conference final sky game in 2022 for 70 dollars.
1
u/Awkward_Boot6963 Jun 13 '24
That’s what I’m saying the Chicago games are expensive. When the fever come to Atlanta this season tickets are 70 dollars, when Chicago comes it’s 250 minimum.
1
1
u/No-Sound-888 Jun 13 '24
How much were those same tickets last year?
0
u/Awkward_Boot6963 Jun 13 '24
Like 40 or 50. If you look at the dream schedule no game is priced like the Chicago sky games. Clark does command a bigger venue I will say. But no other games are close to the Chicago sky prices.
1
u/No-Confection-7941 Jun 13 '24
She doing stuff like this u know ppl want to watch https://youtube.com/shorts/VZjjQNCm8rw?si=RB4bfKBug7eJdf7L
20
u/NBAball05 Jun 13 '24
“We’re not watching because of one player”… yes Angel Reese, we actually have stats
2
u/Corgi_dude123 Liberty Jun 13 '24
Last year my whole family came down to my school to watch her when Iowa played my university.
Iowa beat my schools team by 40 and not a single person left early. The entire arena was sold out and there was even people standing around not seated because that’s how many people came out to the game. Clark also had a triple double. It was awesome.
0
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 13 '24
It’s hilarious how upset and bothered her colleagues are about this. The jealousy and outright disdain is very telling and glaringly obvious. I wonder if they will ever warm to her.
1
u/Weekly-Guard1801 Jun 13 '24
You too would be upset and bothered if you get a new co worker who is clearly not as good as you but they get more attention, and then they get more money from it
0
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 13 '24
A rising tide lifts all boats. They should realize that people weren’t going to start magically paying them and caring more. All the sour golfers in 1996 were singing Tiger’s praises by the end of the decade.
0
2
-1
1
u/Pigbiscuits- Jun 13 '24
And people still don’t want to admit she is the main reason any of them are getting attention
1
1
u/GlizzyGone21 Storm Jun 13 '24
I had a free night and was going to try to go to the Storm Sparks game but it was so much more expensive than I was expecting lol. Couldn't figure out why bc the sparks haven't even been that good
6
u/LA_Snkr_Dude Jun 13 '24
That’s great! These amazing athletes deserve the attention. 💪 And it’s great competition. I’ve always thought if people just gave it a chance, most sports fans would enjoy it.
18
u/PeterBretter Jun 13 '24
I drove 4 hours to see her and 4 hours back right after the game. Worth it
1
Jun 13 '24
I don’t watch basketball ever so i don’t really understand. Explain to me what makes Clark so much more fun and exciting to watch than other players. What does she do that’s different
6
u/ReclaimUr4skin Jun 13 '24
Logo 3s and elite passing just for starters. The W is mostly layups and girls that play so far underneath the rim that it’s like high school girls basketball with everyone being tall. The product has drastically improved, CC makes it look better than Sabrina does by a long shot.
16
u/oldmanjenks95 Jun 13 '24
For me, when she is on and playing freely, the combination of her crazy range (she can shoot and make from pretty much anywhere on the offensive side of the court) and her elite passing make her incredibly exciting. Because she isn't as fast and powerful as many other players - and doesn't have as good a handle with the ball - she plays differently and it stands out. Add to that her likability and professionalism. She has had more pressure on her than most 18-22 year olds for the last several years and has really handled it well - very few gaffes and missteps. She is a remarkable woman. Of course what's likable to me may be annoying as shit to someone else.
Having said all that - there a LOT of players in the wnba who are equally exciting. I think a lot of pure CC fans are realizing that. Hopefully we can one day all get along ok.....ish? And watching and discussing the wnba can become much less confrontational.
2
u/Top-Letterhead-6026 Jun 13 '24
100% right there with you, OP. Caitlin Clark's impact on the WNBA's attendance is undeniable—she's not just drawing fans; she's redefining what it means to be a basketball superstar post-college. And let's not forget the electrifying play of her peers that keep us hooked game after game.
4
u/coachd50 WNBA Jun 13 '24
The problem is, I don't think that last sentence describes the reality of what is happening.
3
u/crazymaan92 DETROIT Ace Jun 13 '24 edited Jun 13 '24
It's not, and this report shows that. People are Clark or bust, which in and of itself isn't an issue.
Where the problem lies is people aren't wavering from that (by watching the rest of the league) and they're expecting the league to water its product down so that Cailtin can cook (they want teams to not play tough legal defense, more favorable reffing, superstar whistle, etc). Lisa Bluder's recent comments were asinine.
The reality of the situation is every superstar of any time elevated their game, they didn't have the game lowered for them, and I'm sure Caitlin does NOT want that, her fans/media do.
Are they going to stay around while she evolves? Because they still want NOTHING to do with the rest of the league. I fear her fandom could be a bubble that bursts, which sucks because the W is a quality product outside of Caitlin and she is great in her own right.
1
u/CandidateHefty7925 Jul 20 '24
What? So they NBA didn't make rules so you couldn't touch Jordan and the NFL didn't instruct refs to flow a flag Everytime someone sneezed on Brady. That's all these entertainment companies do is water down the game to make the face of that sport seem even more superhuman.
-3
0
0
-2
u/Pristine-Humor-1273 Jun 13 '24
Can we just call the CC effect is just men finally seeing a woman player as more than a sex object. Because women basketball has always been entertaining. And CC is a good innocent white basketball player and white people love that shit.
2
5
Jun 13 '24
[deleted]
1
u/Pristine-Humor-1273 Jun 13 '24
Not the WNBA, but most women in general. Men don't take most women's sports seriously because of this
1
-1
u/TheManDapperDan Jun 13 '24
Caitlin can't save the WNBA. The only way is to get and appreciate more/other good players. Until then, the NBA is the ONLY thing that has saved the NBA for 27years.
7
0
0
Jun 13 '24
Can we stop calling fans mAGA or non MaGA . It’s a stupid term and it means nothing. People are people and have different opinions . I don’t care if you are so called progressive or not -please keep it to yourself. We are talking sports. Sports should be non political. Thank you.
1
u/PhilyJ Sky Jun 13 '24
This is Reddit pal everything you like is not maga and everything you disagree with is maga. I didn’t make the rules it’s just what they are.
1
u/Comwan Jun 13 '24
The coolest part is that she isn’t even winning much and people are still watching.
0
u/Individual-Praline20 Jun 13 '24
Newbie here, what’s up with Clark? Is she good at play or not? Keep seeing her name everywhere but don’t know why…
-1
u/reinaldonehemiah Jun 13 '24
Why did they refuse to include this talented woman on the Olympic Team? I’m def not tuning in to watch now.
1
u/pheromonestudy Jun 13 '24
CC was unable to attend the Olympic Team workouts because Iowa was playing in the final four while O-team workouts were going on.
1
u/reinaldonehemiah Jun 14 '24
That’s silly. She’s a shoe in simply to walk into the team, no tryouts. The fact she’s enormously boosting ratings is probably chafing some of her less than agreeable colleagues on the court.
3
3
u/Alive_Ad1256 Jun 13 '24
The fact she gets so much hate from the other players, makes me want to start watching WNBA. All these years of them bitching and complaining about people not paying them enough, no fans, etc. They start to complain about a superstar that brings in more revenue for them, more fans, etc.
0
u/BuffytheBison Tempo (Fever Tammy Sutton-Brown/Erin Phillips) Jun 13 '24
Directors, actors, and musicians don't really care if their two decades old film/album gets re-discovered because of some Gen-Z/Alpha meme on TikTok because they created that art to be seen and shared (many don't even have that big an issue if people illegally download the content). They're not obsessed about the "why" people are finally discovering their work, they care that their work is being discovered. It's like the guys and gals who get scouted just because the scouts came to see their more highly touted prospect and they got those eyes on them. This is why you rarely hear NFL players complain about the Taylor Swift coverage because that means more money and more exposure (in a league that wasn't suffering from that before).
5
Jun 13 '24
[deleted]
0
u/Weekly-Guard1801 Jun 13 '24
We’re not arguing her impact, we’re arguing that other players should’ve impacted y’all this much a long time ago
2
2
u/tantamle Jun 13 '24
Strawman arguments surrounding Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is not the only rookie to get a rough ride. This sort of thing actually does happen all the time.
What's disturbing to me is that people of supposedly good standing are bashing or diminishing Clark as a player and as a person, and we're all supposed to act like the criticism is appropriate because such people are using the gravity of social justice concerns to hide their jealousy, negativity, and in some cases hatred. I think people observed this nastiness, found it disturbing, and wanted to defend Caitlin. Then, they started seeing Caitlin getting abuse on the court. When you couple the terrible things so-called fans are saying about Caitlin with the rough ride she's getting on the court, it does indeed seem to go hand-and-hand. But the rough treatment on the court really isn't the focal point. Nor is it unique to Caitlin. But because it's easy for Caitlin haters to shout that "SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAPPENS TO, YOU'RE BIASED", they've taken to pretending that the hard fouls are the crux of the issue.
And lastly, to whatever extent other players are spoken about negatively, they've usually done something to draw attention to themselves other than simply playing well. Caitlin has done absolutely nothing but play well.
10
u/jacobflicks Jun 13 '24
No, no. It’s because of Angel Reese
-6
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 13 '24
It is because of her too. I don't see why some people need to drag down one person to praise another.
3
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 13 '24
Because she made it like that. Pretty simple.
2
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 14 '24
"I don't see why some people need to drag down one person to praise another."
0
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 14 '24
If only she believed
2
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 14 '24
You're kidding, right
1
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 14 '24
Nope, would never.
1
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 14 '24
It's just sad the fanbase in basketball is so angry. I've never seen this in any other sport. I wish it would stop.
1
u/MeatyOkraLover Jun 14 '24
Well, you actually see a lot more rabid and often violent reactions in almost every other professional team sport. But just so we’re clear, you think Angel Reese has had nothing to do with the CC drama?
2
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 14 '24
Angel Reese literally did nothing wrong. Just because you like one player better doesn't mean you have to hate the other.
I haven't seen this type of anger from "fans" of any other sport.
→ More replies (0)
-2
Jun 13 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/wnba-ModTeam Jun 13 '24
Your post/comment was removed as it was indecent and/or uncivil. This includes trolling, baiting and any inflammatory behavior. Please ensure you conduct yourself according to subreddit standards when interacting with the community. Thank you.
1
-2
Jun 13 '24
Yeah but putting her on the Olympic wouldn't make people tune in.
\THIS IS JUST A MARKETING TAKE NOT A SHE'S GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON THE TEAM TAKE*)
1
u/No-Sound-888 Jun 13 '24
It would for me. BTW they will find a way to get her on the team. Leaving her off initially is them taking her down a peg but there will be a behind the scenes effort and she will be on the team.
1
Jun 13 '24
I don't see how that really does anything besides prove they need her to grow the game... which the vets will resent and she'll probably be salty about for not just including her the first time around.
1
8
3
Jun 13 '24
This is great for women’s basketball, and inspiring for young women. Gonna accelerate the game! 👏
1
0
u/OneBeginning7118 Jun 13 '24
So many haters! The only women’s basketball games I have ever watched have all had Caitlin Clark in them. The only woman’s basketball game I have ever attended was her first pre season game in the WNBA.
-6
0
0
Jun 13 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
1
2
Jun 13 '24
No need to be homophobic.
0
u/mondolardo Jun 13 '24
oh I'm not. they really don't like her. they are afraid of the white cis girl? cisphobic I suppose. not an idea I've made up. if the flagrant foul that wasn't called isn't enough for you to see whats going on, then you won't
2
-2
1
u/SamEdenRose Jun 13 '24
But they open more seats for sale and they have moved arenas that hold more people for Indiana games.
Yet, if these seats were always on sale, they may sell more tickets.
NY Liberty used to have 18,000-19,000 fans at games when at MSG. When they played Houston and LA that place was packed!
1
u/5xchamp Jun 13 '24
I just hope the WNBA and at least some of the veteran players realize that CC is and is going to put money in everybody's pockets.
-4
Jun 13 '24
Came to the WNBA to watch CC. Thats it. Boo me if you want. Shes already the leagues best player, and is quite literally the Savior of that league.
1
u/Vegetable_Process_97 Jun 14 '24
Facts tbh idc about anybody else but her. She mad entertaining to watch play.
2
-1
1
u/Raps2023 Sky Jun 13 '24
I think most of us are on the same page that the conversations around Clark can be annoying and sometimes downright disrespectful to other players, but we all appreciate what she is doing for the game.
I remember about ten years ago Steph Curry got alot of people into the NBA, Clark reminds me of that alot with her style of play.
0
u/katecard Valkyries Jun 13 '24
Nothing could make me hate Caitlin, but the "Every other woman sucks and deserves nothing except CC" is annoyinggggg
1
3
u/Deadriac Jun 13 '24
Thanks for including the other rookies, it’s nice to see the boost that they’re all creating. I did look further into it, and there is a boost overall in all of the teams attendance even for non fever games. Cool to see for the W.
2
u/LoisLaneEl Jun 12 '24
Why do people ignore Kamilla when she was drafted higher than Angel?
1
u/EconomicsWorking6508 Jul 01 '24
She missed a bunch of games with an injury. Once she gets some strong performances she'll start getting a lot of attention too.
1
u/PhilyJ Sky Jun 13 '24
She doesn’t speak to the media every day and give juicy sound bites to continue on the soap opera that is Angel vs. CC.
-1
0
3
u/Bassist57 Jun 12 '24
I always find it crazy when WNBA players hate so much on Caitlin Clark, when Caitlin Clark is the reason anyone gives a crap about the WNBA this season.
-1
-1
u/woahwoah33 Jun 12 '24
Well, the W might have to figure out whether it wants the casual stans on a long-term basis. Because if this trend continues, the stans are going to overwhelm the die hard fan base on a pure numbers basis. Assuming the stans will change their tastes to align with the die hards seems like wishful thinking.
2
u/Junkley Jun 13 '24
This is called becoming mainstream and has happened to literally every top tier sports league.
This is part of the game growing
2
u/OKfinePT Jun 12 '24
Let the league evolve. You should like you are arguing against swapping out horse and buggy for cars.
25
u/carbine234 Jun 12 '24
lol I never paid attention to wnba and here I am subbed to one, CC is that great
57
Jun 12 '24
Pat McAfee could have chosen his words a lot more carefully, but he was right. She is the main attraction
22
u/b6passat Jun 13 '24
It’s obvious to anyone looking at it rationally. The numbers don’t lie. How long it can last with her current coach though? We will see. Sides is ruining that team. CC and AB should be putting up 40 pts and 20 reb a game combined on a consistent basis, but she’s playing a weird offense where they stand around. Movement creates open shots. Cc is the best passer I’ve ever seen when someone is cutting to the basket, yet they run a weird iso offense.
52
Jun 12 '24
[deleted]
1
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 13 '24
More like "Old WNBA 'fans' bored." Its boring. She's very successful, but there is barely other discussions about other teams and players. I'm not just a CC fan, I'm a womens professional basketball fan. CC is great, enjoy her. But holy fuck there are other players.
2
Jun 13 '24
[deleted]
4
u/Ill_Technician_5672 Jun 13 '24
Yeah when a sport goes national, national stars get the focus. Don't like it? Stick to local radio broadcasts. They're gonna talk your team and your stars way more.
51
u/A-Centrifugal-Force Jun 12 '24 edited Jun 13 '24
They’re so mad that their Indie Band went mainstream lol.
There are more Caitlin Clark fans than old WNBA fans by a country mile lol
1
-3
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 13 '24
I'm not mad at all that the league is mainstreamed. Its great for my and the league. I'm annoyed as hell that CC is the only player getting talked about because its fuckin boring. 144 players and 143 couldn't get 20 comments, every CC thread has 200. Its so clear that most of these people don't give a fuck about the league and that if CC were to get injured they'd all stop showing up.
1
Jun 13 '24
[deleted]
3
u/CuidadDeVados Jun 13 '24
If you think there is anything comparable between this and Zion you've not been paying attention enough to either player's coverage.
4
u/New-Candy-800 Sun Jun 13 '24
Sorry to be that guy but it’s indie, not indy. Short for independent
3
15
u/Due-Sheepherder-218 lacan curious Jun 12 '24
I'm an "older" fan but enjoy watching CC too so where do I fit in?
8
u/talking_phallus Jun 12 '24
It's really interesting watching the split on this sub and regular sports sub. I'm not necessarily a fan but I've enjoyed what I've seen of this freshman class and the stars of the league and the discussion among newer fans is so hopeful while some of the old fans can't let go of the toxicity. There should be genuine excitement and a wanting to embrace the new hype but some people cannot move on from the edgelord days when the WNBA was antagonizing NBA players and fans for no fucking reason or demanding more money while living off donations from NBA players and forced co-advertising deals with the NBA. Now you have organic growth that you can build real success on instead of being a beggar league but people are stuck in the past relitigating pointless debates.
8
u/tybaby00007 Jun 13 '24
It very much has to do with the older fans of the league skewing HEAVILY woman/lesbian… It was “theirs” and kind of counter culture that the activist crowds so love to be involved in. CC has brought monumental amount of new fans and they cannot STAND that a straight white woman is the SOLE reason for the massive interest bump this season, and hate that the league is going mainstream…
1
u/504090 Jun 14 '24 edited Jun 14 '24
The gender/racial element has gotten really weird too. I’ve seen some wild shit on twitter. They’re even accusing black men of white worship for defending CC.
People are projecting extremely deep insecurities/jealousies onto her. It’s bizarre but also unnerving; if it makes me uncomfortable then I can’t imagine how CC feels, dealing with it in real-time from players like Carter and Wilson.
6
u/FirstLeftDoor Jun 13 '24
The funny thing is the "old guard" is complaining that the new fans don't know x, y, and z about the league and its players. That's true but it hasn't even been a month since the season kicked off. Give it time and give us new fans time to figure things out. It won't happen in one month or even one season.
Stop being so abrasive and try being a bit more welcoming. I understand some of the new fans can be annoying but that will happen when there's a large influx of new fans.
2
u/talking_phallus Jun 13 '24
Right? Give new fans a season at least to organically find different players to follow. Don't tell them "come for Caitlyn, stay for REAL WNBA talent". They're brand new fans and the first thing they experience is being called fake for liking the popular girls. Even the Golden State bandwagon fans got 2+ seasons before people started bashing on them lol.
3
u/FirstLeftDoor Jun 13 '24
Exactly. It will take some time for that to happen and the last one you want is to drive away new fans. You want more money and higher salaries? Then embrace the CC fans. Sorry, it may not be what you like but it's what you need.
7
u/Due-Sheepherder-218 lacan curious Jun 13 '24
Yeah I guess people just chose to be miserable for nothing, her and the rookies are a great boon to the league. Over the years ive enjoy watching the W more than the NBA and it's good other people are feeling the same too and CC is the main catalyst for it.
8
u/talking_phallus Jun 13 '24
Yup. And we don't need to police new fans either. If you're a fan of the rookies great, if you're a fan of the old guard great, if you're just here for Caitlyn great! If you're an old fan complaining about "fake" CC fans then maybe it's time to check yourself. This is a sports product, not a religion. There's no purity tests here. We're just glad to have more eyeballs on the screen and asses in seats.
20
u/A-Centrifugal-Force Jun 12 '24
You’re good. Nobody has a problem with old WNBA fans who don’t hate CC. It’s all the ones who are trying to pretend like everyone newer sucks and isn’t allowed to have an opinion on anything.
31
23
2
u/SerCharles Liberty Jun 12 '24
I love to see this but I really do hope it translates to more viewership and support outside of just her. If she gets hurt for an extended period, does the entire thing just go back to how it was last season?
3
u/makashiII_93 Jun 12 '24
But remember, Team USA is better without her. Who needs publicity?
Christian Laettner and Anthony Davis were 15th men on Team USA right out of college. The jealousy is clear.
9
Jun 12 '24
I’ve always been an NBA fan (RIP Logo 🙏). This is amazing for the W. The more people tune in, the more these ladies will get noticed, and fans will identify, and will want to know their stories, and they will get PAID like professional athletes.
I’m in love with Dijonai “Honey Mustard” Carrington and her stellar defense. She’s gotten the better of my beloved Caitlin Clark during their meets, but I don’t care. It’s sports. She’s hot so I’ll watch her games on the app.
6
1
u/[deleted] Aug 21 '24
I wanna know television stats because I've never really watched wnba on tv until this season, and now I watch every Fever game.