$40 Million Setback Ignored as Caitlin Clark Nonetheless Finds Herself Rubbing Shoulders With Tiger Woods

The WNBA has grown by leaps and bounds after Caitlin Clark’s emergence on the circuit. In accordance with a report, the twenty eighth season attracted a mean of 657,000 viewers, which is the best viewers up to now 24 years. Indiana Fever’s video games have crossed the million mark 19 occasions whereas solely 3 extra video games have achieved the identical feat. The attendance too has elevated by over 50% from the final season. Therefore, with such an influence of ‘The Caitlin Calrk Impact’ who higher to match her to than {the golfing} legend Tiger Woods himself?

On Saturday’s episode of The Sports activities Reporters, Adam Schefter gave his tackle whether or not it’s okay to match Clark to Woods. “However you already know right here’s the factor, Jeremy. Once more this morning we’re doing sports activities middle, we’re doing stand up. I’m seeing highlights of the WNBA and the final time I did sports activities reporters, I don’t keep in mind the WNBA being a dialog in speaking level. I don’t keep in mind that being the case the truth that it’s so prevalent in mainstream highlights that we’re speaking about it. Right here reveals the expansion of the game, reveals the ability of Caitlin Clark. Reveals you what number of extra persons are listening to it,” Schefter acknowledged.

Nevertheless, what the journalists ignored was that the league remains to be not worthwhile. As per studies, the W might be shedding round $40 million and the house owners don’t see a acquire of their funding within the close to future. The NBA owns 60% of the league, and when mixed with their stakes within the W and WNBA groups, it will increase to 75%. Whereas many analysts had predicted the league would lose $50 million, draining $40 million is even not much less.

“I feel there are people who come alongside on a regular basis that seize the creativeness of the general public. Caitlin Clark has grown all of the eyes on that sport and I don’t know that there’s a determine that I might consider off the highest of my head. That has had the affect and influence that she has had. However once more I simply assume the entire sport has taken leaps and bounds, so we are able to speak about them needing management and getting used to all of the ways in which they’re being scrutinized. The eye this all comes together with being a big-time large league sport,” Schefter concluded.

As a part of the brand new media contract beginning in 2026, the WNBA will get $2.2 billion annually. However this doesn’t look to be saving the league because the athletes too wish to withdraw from the CBA, which is able to improve how a lot the house owners pay in charges and contracts. “We aren’t even getting any cash from WNBA enlargement charges,” one NBA govt crew member says. Hopefully, whereas Clark is being in comparison with Woods, she’s going to, together with different athletes, attempt to enhance the cash sport within the W. As for her comparability, she has repeatedly acquired a spot with Woods.

Caitlin Clark is the subsequent Tiger Woods in response to ex-NFL star

When Woods joined the PGA tour in 1996, there wasn’t a lot following for the game. However in a couple of years, he modified all the panorama. Golf turned a well-liked sport as everybody needed to see magic in motion. And Woods offered them that. Due to this fact, when Clark has introduced a variety of viewership to the W, ex-Baltimore Ravens star Robert Griffin III acknowledged that her influence has been just like that of Woods.

“Caitlin Clark haters are punching air proper now… The WNBA All-Star votes say what most of us already knew. Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s Tiger Woods. Extra folks watch the W due to her. Interval. Whole votes elevated by 598% for the highest 5 gamers from 2023 to 2024,” Griffith acknowledged.

Throughout her WNBA rookie season, Clark has acquired a variety of flak from haters. She has been questioned, pushed, and shoved to the bottom many occasions. However that hasn’t impacted her capability to assist her crew win video games. Due to this fact, in response to Griffith, it’s her excellence that has powered the Fever to the WNBA playoffs and likewise acquired them main views.

Hopefully, Clark will be capable to get extra viewers and who is aware of if, quickly, this league will make as a lot cash as golf made throughout Woods’ dominance.