Caitlin Clark’s golf debut was a revelation, but it also shone a glaring light on the WNBA’s missed opportunities. While the LPGA wisely embraced Clark, elevating women’s golf with her undeniable star power, the WNBA’s response was bafflingly defensive. The LPGA didn’t just acknowledge Clark’s potential—they capitalized on it, turning her appearance into an event that captured the attention of sports fans across the globe. Meanwhile, the WNBA remained stagnant, caught in a cycle of insecurity, missing the chance to give their league the boost it desperately needed.
The contrast couldn’t have been more stark. Caitlin Clark, already a force to be reckoned with in basketball, was invited to an LPGA event, and the response was electric. Fans poured in, the media buzzed, and the event went viral. Social media exploded, and the LPGA used this moment to draw in a new, younger, and more diverse audience. By pairing Clark with Nelly Korda, the world’s No. 1 golfer, the LPGA not only promoted their star but turned the entire event into a spectacle that felt historic. The energy was palpable, and the LPGA handled it masterfully.
Meanwhile, the WNBA, unable to embrace this moment, sulked in the background. They seemed afraid that Clark’s popularity might overshadow established stars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. The logic? Clark’s rising fame was a “threat” to their own stars, as if sharing the spotlight would somehow diminish their established players. This was a monumental misstep. Instead of embracing Clark’s star power, the WNBA chose to maintain its exclusivity and protect its fragile ego, opting out of a collaboration that could have benefitted everyone.
The LPGA, by contrast, knew exactly what they had in Clark. They didn’t just invite her—they turned her presence into an opportunity to grow their sport. They used her appearance to attract thousands of new fans, many of whom had never shown interest in golf before. The event became a success on every level—attendance, media coverage, fan engagement—all thanks to Caitlin Clark’s natural charisma and the LPGA’s smart marketing.
On the flip side, the WNBA missed an opportunity to boost ticket sales, increase fan engagement, and generate positive PR. They were too focused on their own insecurities, too afraid that Clark’s rise would diminish their own stars. It was an unfathomable failure to recognize that collaboration, not competition, would lead to growth. The WNBA’s refusal to embrace Clark’s appeal came across as petty and shortsighted.
As Clark continued to shine in the LPGA spotlight, the WNBA clung to outdated thinking, afraid to acknowledge that sharing the spotlight with another superstar could benefit everyone. Caitlin Clark could have brought a new wave of fans to the WNBA, just as she did for the LPGA. But instead, the WNBA chose to remain in their own little bubble, worried about their own egos, while the LPGA seized the moment.
Women’s sports are on the verge of a breakthrough moment where collaboration, shared stardom, and mutual support could revolutionize the industry. The LPGA is leading the way with smart, inclusive marketing that welcomes stars like Caitlin Clark. Unfortunately, the WNBA’s approach shows exactly how not to handle growth in women’s sports. Their reluctance to embrace Clark’s success is a missed opportunity for all women’s sports, and it’s a strategy that could cost them dearly in the long run.
