The WNBA is in huge trouble now that Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have been eliminated from the playoffs. The Fever lost to Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun 87-81 on Wednesday, marking their first postseason appearance since the 2016 season. Led by Clark, Aaliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever finished strong, securing the sixth seed in the WNBA standings. While some may argue it’s not a bad outcome for Caitlin’s rookie year—and they’d be right—the Fever’s elimination is catastrophic for the league.

Why? Because Caitlin Clark is the biggest draw for the WNBA right now. Without her, the league’s ability to attract viewers and fill stadiums is significantly weakened. The Fever’s playoff exit could result in a dramatic drop in viewership. Most games this season saw spikes in attendance when Clark was on the court. WNBA players finally experienced what it feels like to play in front of enthusiastic crowds, but now, with Clark gone, those numbers will likely plummet.

Uncle Casey, a voice in the WNBA community, isn’t shy about calling this a crisis. With Caitlin Clark out of the playoffs, reality is setting in: Clark is a megastar and the main reason people were watching the WNBA this season. Without her, the rest of the league struggles to maintain interest. It’s a harsh truth that the rest of the WNBA, despite its talented players, simply doesn’t have the same appeal.

The numbers don’t lie—Clark managed to draw significant viewership even while competing against early NFL games. In contrast, the rest of the WNBA was largely ignored. This is a critical moment for the league. Caitlin Clark’s star power is undeniable, and now that she’s gone, so is much of the audience. The WNBA is now scrambling to do damage control. Sponsors are also catching on, realizing that Clark’s absence is a major blow to ratings.

One of the more perplexing aspects is Nike’s handling of Clark. Despite her being a generational talent, Nike hasn’t capitalized on her stardom. While LeBron James had his own signature shoe in his rookie year, Clark is still wearing Kobe Bryant’s sneakers, and she may not have her own shoe until 2026 or 2027. Jason Whitlock pointed out that this is baffling—Nike had the foresight to push LeBron’s brand, so why not Clark’s?

The issue seems to be more complex, and it involves cultural and racial dynamics within the WNBA and Nike. It’s no secret that Asia Wilson, another Nike athlete and WNBA MVP, has been the face of the league. Clark, however, doesn’t seem to fit into the marketing narrative Nike or the WNBA wants to push. This focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion seems to be overshadowing pure business sense—Clark is the WNBA’s biggest asset, yet they aren’t investing in her the way they should.

As a result, Clark is being overlooked in favor of players like Wilson, despite the fact that Clark is the one driving up viewership. This is bad business and shortsighted, especially now that Clark has been eliminated from the playoffs. It’s almost as if the league is eager to move on without her. This is why her playoff exit feels like the end of the WNBA’s season, even if games continue.

But back to the game itself: despite the Fever’s strong recovery throughout the season, it wasn’t enough to get past the Sun, who advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the sixth straight season. The Fever may not have achieved the ending they wanted, but there is still plenty to be optimistic about. The combination of Clark and Boston is something to build on for the future. Both players were named to the WNBA All-Star team as rookies, and it’s almost certain the Fever will have back-to-back Rookie of the Year winners.

Clark’s performance in the playoffs was nothing short of remarkable. She finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists, nearly leading a fourth-quarter rally to save Indiana’s season. Clark became the first rookie in WNBA history to post a 25-point, five-rebound, five-assist game in the playoffs, a feat only matched by Magic Johnson in NBA history.

While the Fever couldn’t pull off a win, they’ve found a winning formula with their current lineup. The team’s slow start to the season gave way to one of the top offenses in the WNBA. Going into the offseason, their top priority will be to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell, whose rapport with Clark grew as the season progressed.

Looking ahead, the Fever have a bright future. With further development and the right pieces around Clark and Boston, they could be championship contenders. Clark has already proven her value, not just as a marketable star but as a player who can elevate her team. If she continues to improve in her second year, the Fever could easily be a top-four seed in 2025.

Caitlin Clark’s cultural impact on the WNBA cannot be overstated. She has brought in record viewership and made the league relevant in ways it hasn’t been in years. The Fever’s early playoff exit is a setback, but with Clark at the helm, there’s every reason to believe they’ll be back stronger next year. Will you be watching the Fever in 2025, and do you think they can make it to the semifinals? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for daily WNBA updates.