Sophie Cunningham discusses the role of Caitlin Clark in WNBA growth
3 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 11, 2026, 10:20 AM
Last updated Sep 11, 2026
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.
- •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.
- 10:20 AMYahoo Sports — ‘She has done so much for our sport’: Sophie Cunningham says people are ‘reluctant’ to praise Caitlin Clark
- 9:34 AMYahoo Sports — Sophie Cunningham makes ‘obvious’ Caitlin Clark admission on credit for WNBA’s success
- 4:31 AMYahoo Sports — “I Should Not Get in Trouble for Knowing the Obvious”: Sophie Cunningham Offers No Filter Over Her Caitlin Clark Opinion
"Ever since Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA, she has brought a surge of attention to the league that has led to more viewers on television, increased attendance across the WNBA, and significantly increased salaries for players across the league as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. She’s helped transform the league, and Fever teammate…
"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.
"Sophie Cunningham drops an obvious take on Caitlin Clark’s role in the WNBA’s recent success. For years, the WNBA struggled to find a loyal fanbase despite being home to the best basketball talent in its own right.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 10:20 AM‘She has done so much for our sport’: Sophie Cunningham says people are ‘reluctant’ to praise Caitlin Clark
Ever since Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA, she has brought a surge of attention to the league that has led to more viewers on television, increased attendance across the WNBA, and significantly increased salaries for players across the league as part of the new collective bargaining agreement. She’s helped transform the league, and Fever teammate…
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 9:34 AMSophie Cunningham makes ‘obvious’ Caitlin Clark admission on credit for WNBA’s success
Sophie Cunningham drops an obvious take on Caitlin Clark’s role in the WNBA’s recent success. For years, the WNBA struggled to find a loyal fanbase despite being home to the best basketball talent in its own right.
- Yahoo SportsSep 11, 2026, 4:31 AM“I Should Not Get in Trouble for Knowing the Obvious”: Sophie Cunningham Offers No Filter Over Her Caitlin Clark Opinion
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.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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