WNBPA and WNBA might not be on the same page in the CBA discussions, but they agree on the vast popularity and the new deals that come with the fan followings. Recently, the WNBPA released a stat showing that A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas pulled around 3 million viewers. Although this is great, Caitlin Clark fans seem to have a problem with the stat.
There had always been a tussle over the ‘big pullers’ in the league, with the WNBA slowly building a fanbase early, and it saw a huge surge since the season. The Indiana Fever coach, Stephanie White, even called Clark ‘Taylor Swift 2.0’ due to her growing popularity. And with the WNBPA’s claims, here is what fans had to say.
With her third championship in her bag, A’ja Wilson cemented her position as the face of the WNBA. While her accomplishments are incredible, many analysts connected that with the greatness of the player, not with the fan following, where the Fever Rookie took the lead.
In Forbes’ list of the most powerful females in sports, the 40-year-old took top spot as an athlete, while Wilson was not even in the top 10 (but was in the top 15). This was due to the player’s influence rather than the accolades won. Amod this, recently a video pointed out that “more than three million fans have flocked to see stars like…Alyssa Thomas”.
“more than three million fans have flocked to see stars like…Alyssa Thomas” pic.twitter.com/ia2bDsbrw9 https://t.co/6Q1y07ZbkX
— correlation (@nosyone4) January 16, 2026
While A’ja Wilson’s name was also in the mix, Clark fans disagreed with that and commented on the post.
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A fan said, “Delusional. There has never been 3 million viewers watching AT.”
Delusional
— Dutch (@Onedutch69) January 16, 2026
There has never been 3 million viewers watching AT in the history of the league
One fan added, “Here’s the funny part the WNBA finals averaged 1.5 million viewers.”
Here’s the funny part the WNBA finals averaged 1.5 million viewers that is a regular season game for the fever without cc plan. What a joke.
— Dutch (@Onedutch69) January 16, 2026
Another fan said, “They say nonsense like this.”
They say nonsense like this and then when you correct them, they call you the worse names imaginable
— Chavis Consulting (@echavis) January 17, 2026
One fan trolled with the comment, “Careful ur gonna upset all three AT fans.”
Careful ur gonna upset all three AT fans
— tortured soul (@0ceanblueeyes22) January 16, 2026
Another fan mentioned, “So they’re still denying Caitlins impact, got it.”
So they’re still denying Caitlins impact, got it
— abc² 🐐 (@abcenjoyer) January 16, 2026
While the Fever guard fans expressed their opinion on the league’s viewership without CC, an analyst pointed out how the league is looking at these ‘new fans’ and treating them.
WNBA Insider Claims Caitlin Clark Fans Pushed Away By WNBA
The league saw a huge influx of fans since 2024. Many credited CC for this growth. The numbers supported the point. Even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver heaps huge praise on Clark. But, according to WNBA insider Rachel DeMita, the fans received poor treatment.
Rachel DeMita pointed out the hypocrisy and said, “They (CC fans) have been shunned by WNBA media, they have been shunned by WNBA players. There has been so much regarding these new fans, like so toxic. The new fans have been pushed away, as if there is pushback on new fans. However, the new fans are the reason the players have the leverage that they do.”
🚨🚨Rachel Demita drops 🔥🔥🔥🔥 speaking about the treatment of the new fans a.k.a. Caitlin Clark fans experienced in this league. Imagine a different universe where they were actually embraced and the support they would have brought for other players and other leagues. 🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Fo11AGDTvC
— Michael (@mikeaalen112735) January 10, 2026
The WNBA experienced massive success, and if, by all means, this is due to the Fever guard’s fans, then the league must be cautious in handling these fans and look to grow the numbers.