The WNBA could be a global phenomenon in the next two seasons, with the WNBA Europe League in serious discussions and could launch alongside NBA Europe in 2027.
While this achievement seemed unimaginable just two seasons ago, the talks are positive, according to NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum. A huge credit for this must go to the recent spike in popularity of the league, and indirectly, to Caitlin Clark.
Even though the numbers, stats, and TV ratings support CC’s impact, there are a few analysts and podcast presenters who look to diminish the impact simply by putting their ‘opposing’ views in the media. Katie Nolan recently tried to do the same by targeting her fanbase.
Katie Nolan Criticizes Caitlin Clark’s Fanbase
While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praises Clark for her popularity and impact on the game, Katie Nolan offers a different perspective to her followers.
On Sue Bird’s Podcast, the TV presenter said, “fans found one player to hyper-fixate on that they feel stands at odds with what the WNBA player is in their mind, and they passionately love that player in a way that actually feels like it’s hate being disguised as love that they want to have against the rest of the league.”
It’s all part of the growth that we’re watching in real time 👀🤷♀️
— A Touch More (@atouchmore) December 15, 2025
📺 Watch now: https://t.co/g7nNJRqaZm pic.twitter.com/buAlf7pyFQ
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Though he didn’t openly take CC’s name, she added that this player is very good, very, very good.
While Sue Bird’s podcast episodes previously received huge backlash from the fans over a similar kind of ‘hate speech the storyline continued, and the target at all times had been the Fever guard. Luckily, there are a few presenters who showed their support and acknowledged the CC effect as it is.
Stephane A. Smith Lauds Caitlin Clark’s Impact
A veteran analyst had been in the industry for decades now and saw the rise of the NBA with Michael Jordan and now Lebron James. Now, suddenly, he speaks about the WNBA and feels similar gravity in the 2024 Rookie of the Year winner.
Praising Clark on a show, Stephen A Smith said, “Caitlin Clark is a cash cow. She is a box office. This is a person who’s ‘everything she touches with women’s basketball turns to gold.’ They didn’t have chartered jets until she arrived. She arrived, and they had chartered jets two weeks later.”
🚨Stephen A. Smith on Caitlin Clark being the biggest superstar in WNBA!
— JMac | Ball Up | 🏀🏈 (@Gameis_gameLFG) November 3, 2025
“Caitlin Clark is a person that everything she touches with women’s basketball turns to gold… she is the future of the WNBA." pic.twitter.com/87881bQZSV
The analyst mentioned that she is a good player in the league, but not the best yet. Still, he highlighted her impact on the ratings with an example of the recent All-Star game viewership numbers.