Since being selected first overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark has not only lived up to the hype—she’s redefined it. The former Iowa Hawkeye has shattered records, electrified crowds, and single-handedly driven a surge in league-wide interest and revenue. But as Clark’s star continues to rise, so too does criticism of the WNBA’s handling of its most valuable asset. Now, NBA legend Larry Bird has entered the conversation, reportedly advocating for Clark to establish her own franchise—a move that could upend the league’s business model and reshape women’s basketball for years to come.

Caitlin Clark: The WNBA’s Financial Engine

Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA can hardly be overstated. Since her arrival, television ratings have soared, ticket sales have exploded, and merchandise bearing her name regularly sells out. She’s become not just the face of her team but the face of the entire league. According to league sources, Clark is directly responsible for more than 80% of the WNBA’s top viewership numbers in 2024 and 2025.

The financial impact is staggering. Team valuations have climbed, sponsors have lined up, and the league has inked a $200 million media deal—much of it attributed to Clark’s magnetic appeal. When Clark was sidelined with an injury earlier this season, the effects were immediate and dramatic: TV ratings and ticket sales plummeted, underscoring just how much the league depends on her presence.

A League Failing to Protect Its Star

But Clark’s meteoric rise has not been without controversy. The WNBA has come under fire for what many see as a failure to protect its brightest star from increasingly aggressive and dangerous play. The 2025 season has seen Clark repeatedly targeted with rough fouls, culminating in a high-profile incident with Marina Mabrey on June 17. Despite the severity of the contact, league officials handed down only mild penalties—no suspensions, just fines—leaving fans and analysts alike outraged.

Social media erupted in protest, with many accusing the WNBA of neglecting its responsibility to ensure player safety, especially for the athlete most responsible for the league’s newfound popularity. “If the league can’t protect its stars, what message does that send to fans and future players?” asked one prominent commentator.

Underutilizing a Generational Talent

The criticism doesn’t stop at player safety. Many fans and insiders believe the WNBA is squandering a once-in-a-generation opportunity by failing to fully leverage Clark’s star power. Instead of building the league’s narrative around her, WNBA leadership has chosen to emphasize broader political and social themes, or “identity politics,” as some have described. This approach, critics say, has left Clark isolated—her individual achievements often downplayed or lumped together with those of other rookies.

“The WNBA seems determined to treat Clark as just another player,” says sports business analyst Mark Reynolds. “But she’s not. She’s the engine driving the entire league right now. Ignoring that reality is a huge mistake.”

Financial Instability and NBA Subsidies

Despite Clark’s transformative impact, the WNBA remains on shaky financial ground. In 2024, the league reported a staggering $40 million loss, even after securing the lucrative media deal. The WNBA continues to rely heavily on financial support from the NBA, which contributes an estimated $15-20 million annually to keep the league afloat.

This dependence has led to growing frustration among NBA owners and investors, who question the sustainability of subsidizing a league that struggles to stand on its own. With Clark’s commercial value now surpassing $11 million thanks to endorsements, many wonder why the WNBA cannot capitalize more effectively on her marketability.

Enter Larry Bird: A New Vision for the WNBA

Against this backdrop, NBA legend Larry Bird has reportedly stepped forward with a bold proposal: help Caitlin Clark establish her own WNBA franchise. Bird, who knows firsthand what it’s like to be an outsider shaking up the basketball establishment, sees Clark’s situation as a historic opportunity for the league. Sources close to Bird say he is willing to help secure the necessary investment and infrastructure to launch a new team, one where Clark would have greater control over her environment and personal brand.

“Larry Bird understands the power of star-driven franchises,” says basketball historian Emily Carter. “He sees what Clark has done for the WNBA, and he believes the league is missing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build around her.”

Bird’s proposal is more than just a show of support for Clark—it’s a direct challenge to the WNBA’s current business model. By creating a franchise centered on its biggest star, the league could attract new investors, including NBA owners tired of subsidizing losses without seeing meaningful returns.

A Crossroads for the WNBA—and for Clark

For Clark, the stakes are high. Despite her unprecedented impact, her WNBA salary remains a modest $78,000 per year—a fraction of what she could earn overseas, where top players make $1-3 million per season. With her commercial value already exceeding $11 million, Clark has options that previous generations of WNBA stars could only dream of.

Sources close to Clark say she is seriously considering her next move. If the WNBA fails to make significant changes—either by embracing Bird’s vision or by finding other ways to better support and protect its top talent—Clark could take her talents abroad, depriving the league of its most valuable asset.

The Future of Women’s Basketball Hangs in the Balance

The WNBA now faces a pivotal choice: double down on Caitlin Clark’s star power and transform the league into a financially viable, globally relevant enterprise, or risk losing the one athlete capable of making that vision a reality. The outcome will not only determine Clark’s future but could also shape the trajectory of women’s basketball for decades to come.

As Bird himself reportedly told league officials, “You don’t get a Caitlin Clark every generation. If you don’t build around her now, you may never get another chance.”

For now, fans, investors, and players alike are watching closely. The ball is in the WNBA’s court—and the clock is ticking.