The WNBA keeps growing, and that is exactly what women’s sport needs. Regular season games are averaging round 750,000 viewers in 2026, a 12 per cent increase from last year, as the league continues to expand its reach. But more attention should mean more of the league gets seen and right now, too much of the spotlight keeps falling on the same athletes, debates and controversies
Look at WNBA coverage and a pattern quickly emerges. Cailtin Clark, Aja Wilson, Angel Reese and Sophie Cunningham remain familiar faces in the headlines. Award races, officiating decisions, technical fouls and controversies can create entire news cycles of their own. Then there is the drama, described in recent coverage as “rinse and repeat”. Most recently, the incident involving Sophie Cunningham and DiJonai Carrington created another wave of headlines and social media debate that extend far beyond the game itself. These stories are worth the spotlight, but when the attention repeatedly returns to the same athlete’s and talking points, less space is given to the rest of the league.
It is easy to see why. Star power, controversy and drama are perfect for the attention economy. They generate clicks, comments, shares and arguments, encouraging media outlets and social media platforms to keep returning to what already attracts attention. But the WNBA has far more to offer its growing audience.
Just look what’s happening on the court. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick, became the first rookie in history to win 3-point contest. Olivia Miles have been breaking rookie records, while Kayla McBride dropped a career high 43 points while hitting 10 three pointers, a new WNBA record.
Entire teams are creating stories worth following too. Dallas has produced one of the seasons biggest turnarounds, while the Washington Mystics recently climbed the standings during seven-game winning streak.
Yes, these achievements are being reported. But they deserve a bigger share of the spotlight.
The WNBA should absolutely keep chasing bigger audiences, but growth should mean giving those audiences more to care about. Show us the record, feature more athletes, celebrate breakout performances, unexpected contenders and franchise turnarounds.
The biggest stars deserve the spotlight. The rest of the WNBA deserves one too.
Kaitlin Stokes 
Adelina 
Tahir