Christine Brennan, a sports columnist and biographer, recently hinted at the potential for WNBA stars, like Caitlin Clark, to start their own league if they felt motivated to do so. This remark seemed to feed into ongoing speculation about the league’s future.
During an appearance on ESPN LA with host John Ireland, Brennan was discussing her new book, “Her Game: Kate Linklark and the Women’s Sports Revolution.” She said, “Nike really supports her, plus she’s got Wilson and Gatorade involved. It’s interesting that the salary cap for new teams has increased this year—according to the Wall Street Journal, Clark earns around $28 million from Nike alone, paving the way for a potential $40 million overall.”
She added, “The TV viewership is all centered on Caitlin Linklark. Other players, while talented, just don’t generate the same buzz. I feel like they could indeed bring a new league to life in a few years. It’s pretty intriguing and might even be achievable, especially with the current leadership issues in the WNBA.”
Clark has certainly made waves in the league since being the No. 1 pick last year. She quickly became a household name, selling out venues and attracting a large television audience.
However, her rise hasn’t been without controversy. There’s been ongoing debate about whether she’s received adequate protection from officials during games and whether other players have unfairly targeted her.
This notion of a new league seems unlikely to fade, especially if Clark continues to face aggressive play on the court.
Interestingly, Clark opted out of participating in various 3-on-3 leagues that are emerging during the WNBA offseason.
Brennan herself has sparked some controversy, drawing criticism from the WNBA Players Association for her line of questioning towards Dihony Carrington after a notable incident involving Clark last season.
Despite injuries sidelining her for several games this season—she has played in nine out of 16—Clark is reportedly on the mend from what is described as a groin injury. She’s averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game, also earning recognition as an All-Star Game Captain through fan voting.
