WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Caitlin Clark (Photos via Getty Images)The WNBA draft arguably has the most attention in the league’s history, and it is not hard to see why. This 2024 class, which has Caitlin Clark, has the most notable names of women who have arguably changed the direction of women’s basketball.
As the team with the No. 1 draft pick, the Indiana Fever is expected to select Iowa guard Caitlin Clark and bring the “Caitlin Clark effect” to Indianapolis.
Former LSU Tigers star Angel Reese is expected to go in the top 10 while names like Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Kamilla Cardoso, and Aaliyah Edwards are also expected to be selected high as well.
With so much attention on the WNBA Draft heading into Monday night, you would think the league would want as many eyes and reporters to cover it as possible.
However, the WNBA is getting blasted ahead of the draft as one employee at Iowa called them out for only allowing one credential per school to cover the event.
“Dear @WNBA , Only giving schools ONE credential to cover the draft is absurd. Instead of having photo & video coverage, we’re forced to choose one. Let’s work together to grow interest in the league.,” an Iowa employee wrote on social media.
Dear @WNBA,
Only giving schools ONE credential to cover the draft is absurd. Instead of having photo & video coverage we’re forced to choose one.
Let’s work together to grow interest in the league. 🤝
— Brandee Britt (@beebritt34)
April 12, 2024
Here's the biggest momentum moment in history.
The @WNBA https://t.co/THe9Z2YXaj pic.twitter.com/HI0MXm6pWK— rkrager8 (@rkrager8) April 12, 2024
1. This is a big disservice, team content is SO important to carry collegiate fans to the W
2. I’m also unable to photograph Caitlin at the draft bc they don’t credential personal photographers for athletes
Bummed about access all around, and hope this changes in the future https://t.co/8MV0pGR5wc
— Bri Lewerke (@brilewerke) April 12, 2024
I’ve said it before the W does mot seem to have a very good marketing team or any visionaries who can help grieve the game. This is an example of such. https://t.co/lCag0UXcit
— SportsJunky (@SportsJunky93) April 12, 2024
Say it louder ‼️‼️
Women’s college basketball is thriving. The WNBA should work with these schools to amplify the coverage.
Iowa WBB has 100k+ followers on Twitter. The Indiana Fever has the #1 pick and 77k followers. https://t.co/uvOQPSrlP4
— Olivia Coiro (@livcoiro) April 12, 2024
Sad sad sad. I personally am so grateful our little Lincoln Daily News in the 217 sees the importance of a photographer and a journalist when covering girls basketball! So thankful. https://t.co/UjtPjugV8U
— Teena Lowery (@mail_lady68) April 12, 2024
The WNBA is not ready for the hype… https://t.co/ziAcejszt1
— 𝓒𝓙 𝓐𝓵𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓭 (@HawksBestie) April 12, 2024
Gotta feel like they’re leaving massive opportunity on the table given the magnitude of this draft specifically. https://t.co/Ud7U6N3DvF
— Mel (@whatthesports_) April 12, 2024
Ratings And Attendance Boost Could Be On The Way For The WNBA Ahead of Draft
WNBA Draft (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The 2023-24 college season had tremendous star power, leading to ratings and an attendance boost. The same thing could be on the way for the WNBA.
The biggest star to date is Caitlin Clark, who has already changed the league without even playing a minute.
The Indiana Fever, who are presumably taking Clark with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, is set to play 36 of their 40 games on national television next season, via BleacherReport.com, because the Iowa superstar is much in demand.
Clark’s career at Iowa has led to national attention for women’s basketball unlike anything the sport has ever seen, and the professional league cannot wait for her to deliver for them.
