Caitlin Clark tells NBA how to save its dire TV ratings after driving excitement in WNBA to new levels

Caitlin Clark shared her theory about the decline in the NBA‘s TV ratings and provided a potential solution.

About two months into the 2024-25 season, the association has seen a significant dip in TV ratings with ESPN’s coverage down 28 percent through November 21, per Yahoo Sports.

The Washington Post also reported that the overall ratings are down 18 percent compared to last year, with an average of 1.4 million viewers per game.

In the latest episode of the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce, the WNBA superstar shared her thoughts on the subject.

‘I’ve been asking a lot of people about this and why they think they’re down. But also I think it’s interesting because I think NBA opening day was the NBA’s best opening day in a while.’

‘I feel like the average basketball fan just doesn’t understand how good NBA players are and they think it looks like they’re not trying,’ she added. ‘I promise you they’re trying, they’re just so good.’

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Caitlin Clark gave her verdict on the NBA’s declining ratings and what to do to fix them

A month into the 2024-25 season, the NBA has seen an 18 percent decline in TV viewership

When asked about other catalysts for the decline in viewership, Clark alluded to the lack of physicality today.

‘The physicality of the league has changed a lot,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t around when it was much more physical and maybe people want more beef and physicality, and people think it’s gone soft. But I think that’s also because the skill has just changed.

‘That’s what’s great about basketball, it’s always evolving,’ Clark continued. ‘It’s gonna be different than when [Michael Jordan] played, it’s gonna be different in ten years than it is now.’

While hand-checking and taunting were allowed in the NBA in past decades, fans and players alike have grown frustrated with the trigger-happy nature of officiating today.

Technical fouls and ejections have grown more common for unworthy reasons such as slamming the ball in frustration or gazing at the opposing team’s bench.

The NBA’s turbulent start came just after Clark spearheaded the WNBA’s meteoric rise in popularity. After getting drafted by the Indiana Fever, Clark inspired a massive spike in viewership and attendance numbers across the league.

As the discussions continued, Clark also emphasized how the NBA is competing with the NFL and college football early into its season.

‘It’s hard for me to put my finger on why it has gone down and it’s competing against a lot of football right now, you have to take that into consideration,’ Clark said. ‘Football is just America’s favorite thing.’

After Travis asked if a four-point line would help bring back interest in the league, the renowned sharpshooter beamed at the idea.

‘I love that, let’s do it,’ Clark exclaimed. ‘Adam Silver, four-point line.’