Sophie Cunningham discusses the role of Caitlin Clark in WNBA growth

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 4:31 AM

Last updated Sep 11, 2026

Sophie Cunningham discusses the role of Caitlin Clark in WNBA growth
Summary

Sophie Cunningham stated during the debut episode of the show No Hesitation that Caitlin Clark and league players were the primary drivers of the WNBA’s recent global growth. Cunningham emphasized that while the league office deserves some credit, Clark served as the primary spark that pushed existing elite talent into a much larger spotlight. Her comments come as the league continues to navigate shifts in popularity and engagement following the 2024 season, which saw record attendance and viewership. The WNBA is currently undergoing a leadership transition with commissioner Cathy Engelbert set to depart at the end of 2026. Conversations regarding the future of the league now center on how leadership will recognize Clark’s impact alongside the established history of players like Diana Taurasi. As the 2026 season progresses, the league is also preparing for an expansion to 50 regular-season games by 2027.

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By the Numbers
  • Sophie Cunningham stated on No Hesitation that Caitlin Clark was the main catalyst for recent league growth.
  • The 2024 WNBA season set a league attendance record with over 2.3 million fans.
  • Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is scheduled to retire at the end of 2026.
  • The league is expanding to 50 regular-season games beginning in 2027.
  • Caitlin Clark maintains a scoring average of 22.5 points per game during the 2026 season.
Latest Updates
  • 4:31 AMYahoo Sports“I Should Not Get in Trouble for Knowing the Obvious”: Sophie Cunningham Offers No Filter Over Her Caitlin Clark Opinion
What they're saying
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For years, the WNBA had the talent. It had stars who could fill arenas, veterans who had built the league from the ground up, and a product that had been getting better season by season long before Caitlin Clark arrived.

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