OutKick host Dan Dakich expressed on his Monday show that the WNBA fumbled a significant opportunity by not adequately preparing for the wave of attention Caitlin Clark has brought to the league in her first 26 professional games.
Dakich, who hosts “Don’t @ Me,” argued that everyone in the know had warned the WNBA about the “hurricane” that was Caitlin Clark, yet the league, from the front office down to the players, seemed ill-prepared for her arrival and its potential impact.
“Not only should you have known that Caitlin Clark was going to be a star, you should have been ready for it,” Dakich stated. “You should have anticipated this and done everything possible to enhance her presence in the league.”
Dakich elaborated, suggesting that the WNBA should have taken more strategic steps, such as ensuring Clark’s inclusion in the Olympic team and fostering an environment where other players would support her rather than create unnecessary friction. “But that didn’t happen, and now they’re dealing with all this garbage. Cathy Engelbert (WNBA Commissioner) didn’t see it coming,” he added.
According to Dakich, the WNBA’s focus was less on “enhancing” the league’s product and more on “protecting” it, which he views as a critical misstep. “You had this tornado hit, and you weren’t ready. Your insecurity shined brightly. But despite that, Caitlin Clark, the WNBA, and even Angel Reese have all grown,” he remarked.
Dakich also noted that if Clark had been part of the gold medal game at the Paris Olympics, it would have been a must-watch event, underscoring her potential to draw viewers and elevate the sport’s profile globally.
Dakich’s comments highlight the missed opportunities and the broader implications of how sports leagues manage emerging stars, especially those who have the potential to reshape the narrative and attract new audiences.
