The WNBA is on thin ice. If they’re not careful, their attempts to orchestrate a larger fanbase could backfire and lead to a potential exodus of their most prized players. The Indiana Fever, with standout rookie Caitlin Clark, have become a prime example of this.

The Fever, once a struggling team, soared to new heights this season thanks to their first-round draft pick, Clark, who has taken the league by storm. Yet, according to some insiders, the league seems more interested in leveling the playing field than promoting its rising star. The latest tactic? Expansion.

A Threat to Indiana’s Growth?

As the WNBA plans to expand, adding the Golden State Valkyries to the roster, there’s a catch. The new team will be able to pick one player from each existing team’s roster, leaving clubs like the Fever vulnerable. Indiana’s turnaround has been rapid, and many believe that this expansion move could slow or even dismantle their progress by plucking away key contributors.

And that’s not all. Caitlin Clark, while being the face of the Fever’s resurgence, wasn’t supposed to be the WNBA’s poster girl. Yet, she’s delivered consistently, breaking records and generating buzz. The fear? If the league keeps pushing, she might just walk away.

Caitlin Clark: How Long Will She Stay?

Clark has been playing it cool, trying to please everyone—from fans to teammates to the media, despite being consistently disrespected. But how long will that last? Many speculate that if things continue down this path, Clark might take her talents overseas, where she could earn significantly more than what the WNBA currently offers. This has happened before with stars like Diana Taurasi, who once played in Russia for $1.5 million—a far cry from the highest WNBA salary at the time, $107,000.

With international leagues offering bigger paychecks and more lucrative contracts, the WNBA risks losing not only Clark but a wave of talent. In fact, several players, like Gabby Williams, have already voiced their dissatisfaction with the league’s prioritization policies and pay discrepancies. Williams, in a recent interview, expressed her frustrations and hinted at how many international players, including herself, are questioning whether staying in the WNBA is even worth it.

And she’s not alone. After her exit interview, Williams jetted off to Istanbul for the off-season, with many speculating that she’ll earn more there than she did during her entire WNBA season.

A Looming Exodus?

It’s not unusual for WNBA players to spend their off-seasons playing overseas, as many leagues outside the U.S. offer significantly higher pay. But with the current tensions in the WNBA—low salaries, the expansion draft, and mounting player dissatisfaction—the league could soon face a bigger crisis: losing its top talent entirely to international teams.

Diana Taurasi’s decision in 2015 to sit out a WNBA season to play in Russia was a wake-up call back then. Now, with the growing popularity of women’s basketball, more players are likely to follow suit if the league doesn’t step up its game. Private-owned Euro teams are already eyeing top WNBA talent, and with star players increasingly becoming global celebrities, it’s only a matter of time before they make the jump for the right paycheck.

But the problem isn’t just overseas competition. The impending Golden State Valkyries expansion draft could shake up the league further, leaving teams like the Fever, who only get to protect six players, vulnerable.

Who Will the Fever Protect?

The Indiana Fever, having made an impressive playoff run, now face tough decisions. Who do they protect in the expansion draft? There are clear front-runners:

Kelsey Mitchell

: The heartbeat of the Fever for seven seasons, Mitchell’s chemistry with Caitlin Clark in the backcourt makes her a top priority for protection.

Caitlin Clark

: The rookie phenom who shattered records this season, Clark is a no-brainer for protection. Her contributions on offense are unmatched.

Aaliyah Boston

: The 2023 No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year, Boston’s presence in the paint and her defensive prowess make her another lock for the Fever.

Beyond these three, however, the Fever have difficult choices to make. Players like Lexi Hull, Nelissa Smith, and Tami Fagbenle are all worthy of protection, but with only three slots remaining, not all of them will make the cut.

Expansion Uncertainty

Nelissa Smith, in particular, poses a challenge. Despite starting strong and averaging double-digit points, she expressed dissatisfaction with her role this season. The Fever may protect her, hoping to trade her later or use her for one final season in 2025. Others, like Lexi Hull, thrived during key moments of the season, particularly during the Olympic break when she nearly doubled her shooting percentage from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, veteran players like Tami Fagbenle and Demeris Dantas, both of whom battled injuries, might not make the protected list. They’ve contributed when healthy, but their injury histories make them less likely to be top priorities for Indiana’s front office.

What’s Next for the WNBA?

The WNBA expansion and off-season drama have left teams like the Fever scrambling. They’ll need to make tough choices, and the league itself will need to rethink its strategy for player retention. If the current disrespect and low pay persist, they could be looking at an exodus of star talent to international leagues—Caitlin Clark included.

For now, all eyes are on the December 6th expansion draft. As teams submit their protected player lists, fans are left wondering: who will the Valkyries select, and how will this shake up the 2025 season? Whatever the outcome, it’s clear the WNBA has some serious work to do to maintain its talent and grow its audience.

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