The WNBA can never say it out loud, of course, but actions speak louder than words.
And the league's future depends on action, and soon.
Caitlin Clark is the most important player in the history of this league. Like her or not, it's the simple truth.
Ratings, and attendance, and overall interest in the W have skyrocketed in conjunction with Clark's joining the league in 2024, just like her upperclass Iowa years broke record numbers in the NCAA women's game.
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The WNBA was an on-the-rise league with Clark. But with Clark, it's a rocket ship soaring to the stars.
But there's a problem: Each and every time Clark takes the floor, she gets crushed.
Over and over, opponents can't figure out any other way to stop her, so they hack her, oftentimes approaching the line of dirty play.
Fever coach Stephanie White has called out the poor form. Clark certainly makes sure to get her complaints in.
And yeah, normally, refs and the league wouldn't listen to such complaints.
But this is a different situation. This is a transcendent superstar.
This is Michael Jordan, or LeBron James, or even the wizard foul-drawing 2025 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Clark should get all the calls. Seriously. All of them.
And when the defense plays her too physically, they should be punished in kind with technical fouls or fines.
Fans of other teams won't like it, but the league's growth depends on having Clark healthy, on the floor and at her best.
Referees won't be able to stop everything, but they can nip a lot of the bad behavior in the bud.
And if the result is a full-flight Clark, everyone in the WNBA will benefit from it in the long run.
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