Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were indeed the MVPs of popularity this season! The rookie sensations have taken the WNBA by storm. They’re pulling in massive crowds, skyrocketing TV ratings, and boosting engagement across every social platform. Although the spotlight is often on just CC, the WNBA owner Renee Montgomery credits Chi-Town Barbie as much as the 2024 ROTY. But despite it all, it wasn’t all sunshine.

Angel Reese Pushed Next to Caitlin Clark by WNBA Owner as $40 Million Problem Still Looms

“Obviously, there were many talented rookies that came in this year. But I will just throw her name out in particular since that obviously is on a lot of people’s minds,” Rich Eisen said on his namesake show, talking about the Caitlin Clark effect and if Renee Montgomery thought it was real. The Atlanta Dream’s co-owner didn’t hold back, admitting it indeed was but right alongside Angel Reese.

“Yes, I think there’s a real effect there,” she said. Montgomery gave credit where it was due, naming Clark and Reese as the draft class that’s brought “a real demand, there’s a real following there. There are fans that are online, and there are also fans that are following at the games and wearing jerseys, and there is a real connect.” 

For her, it’s clear that both rookies have changed the WNBA forever. But truly, this season has been nothing short of historic for the WNBA. According to ESPN, this year’s Finals raked in an average of 1.6 million viewers, up a whopping 115% from last season. Also, the entire postseason averaged 1.1 million viewers, a 139% increase from 2023.

Talking about the newbies, their regular-season matchup on June 23 drew 2.3 million viewers as Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky narrowly beat Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever 88-87. We also witnessed the WNBA Draft hit an average of 2.4 million viewers—up 328% from the year before. “I think Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, they will have forever changes, they are that crossover group,” Montgomery adds.

Jul 20, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team WNBA forward Angel Reese (5) sets a pick for Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the WNBA All Star Game against USA Women’s National Team at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports© Provided by EssentiallySports

Well, Fever’s attendance went from near the bottom of the league last year to leading with an average of over 17,000 fans per game. For comparison, in 2022, their average attendance was just 1,776 per game. Still, after everything and even Montgomery admitting in Eisen’s show that the new players have brought attention, the league is still in financial woes.

WNBA still in red

For all their rookie magic, the duo couldn’t completely fix the league’s $40 million loss this year. The losses weigh heavily on the WNBA owners, leaving doubts about the league despite record numbers and new fans filling arenas. Reports suggest the owners are growing frustrated over the number. But it still is an improvement from $50 million loss estimated earlier this year.

“We’re working with WNBA owners, WNBA owners that also own NBA teams, and then more broadly the NBA owners on what the right valuation of WNBA teams are going forward, what the best way is to operate that league,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed. The W has been running in loss for years and the owners are demanding transparency on the timeline of their returns. There is no answer for that just yet, but the league is definitely working towards a change.

Apart from the expansion, the league has also singed media deals worth about $2 billion across 11 years. This could mean $260 million per annum -6x increase from their current contract. Moreover, the players have also rallied for better financial model with a larger revenue share, refusing collective bargaining agreement (CBA). “The players decided to opt out of the last CBA to realign the business and save the league from its own limitations,” WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson explained.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is hopeful, though, saying, “With the historic 2024 WNBA season now in the books, we look forward to working together with the players and the WNBPA on a new CBA that is fair for all and lays the foundation for growth and success for years to come.” 

All in all, between Reese, Clark, and the booming fanbase, the WNBA has a golden opportunity here. Could the CBA be the game-changer?