Transactional

It seems like part of the issue is that professional women's basketball pays less than a lot of NIL money. When the iron's hot in college WBB, they're driven to take that offer because they're not going to get that money in the pro system (if they can get in). Pro WBB seems pretty messed up to me - maybe they need an owner (or new league) not affiliated with the NBA?

You mean, like treating the league's biggest star, biggest drawing card and biggest reason many new fans are watching games like garbage? Yes, Clark has some issues, but no question she is the straw stirring the WNBA's drink. 

Someone needs to tell these players in no uncertain terms that the new fans tuning in and raising the ratings are doing that so they can watch Cameron Brink or Angel Reese or Sabrina. 

The love each, wining, and togetherness of the OSU 23/24 team was only part of the story. The rest of the story we were never told. I'll bet the entire teams mind about where they'd be playing in the 24/25 season. Assumption, the "Elite 8" was included in their plans. After who thinks success after a season like the 22/23 13 win season? Nobody. making the Elite 8 results an after thought. A mystery. They became "Over Achievers" while Curbing my Enthusiasm.

Please interpret. I'm lost.

You joke, but it's kind of true. Even with the pro leagues you have a chance to build up an affinity with a player over the course of a few years, with some exceptions. If college sports become one year rentals, how long before donors at not-winning-every-year schools like us just stop contributing?

I know some people just want to see OSU play, no matter who they field, but as I've said before that sense of community and watching a player grow I think is the real value in all of this.

At some point, colleges will have to ask themselves whether this really advances the mission of education young adults, and I think the answer will be a big no. And then what do they do?

Right you are, Hank. Previously, when a big star got into the WNBA, there was a collective yawn, and everybody went back to paying zero attention to the league. Now, for the first time ever, people are paying attention, salaries and endorsements will go up as a result, and they seem to resent Clark because she's the attention getter.

A few years into Tiger's era of dominance in golf, the PGA tour signed new broadcast contracts with the networks. The tour players rather rapidly figured out that, if Tiger won every single tournament for the next 3 years, the rest of them would still be playing for double the total amount of money they had been previously. Not being dopes, they quickly got on the Tiger bandwagon, talking him up at every chance, and they all lived happily forever after - until LIV came along.

The WNBA players need to figure that out right quick.

I’m not sure how Clark could possibly be considered a fad. She plays a unique brand of basketball, especially on the girls side. Very few girls have ever played with that extended range, the step back game, passing, and some personality to go with it. Not to mention, the all time leading scorer. She’s legit and going to be a big part of the growth of the women’s game. Sabrina has a lot to do with it too. A’ja Wilson doesn’t get the attention she should but she’s an absolute stud too.

But Caitlin’s impact on women’s basketball is undeniably the most popular female basketball player of all time and the fact that she’s packing 17,000 people into every arena she walks in proves it.