The WNBA, three decades into its journey, continues to advance its product. After decades of players needing to head overseas to make a living, the new collective bargaining agreement set the players on a path to financial security. While not on the scale of the NBA, the league set a strong standard.
Meanwhile, the WNBA continues to make news off the court. With hot-button issues hovering, fans and pundits decided to carve out niches and sides in an argument that threatens to engulf the league. Now, an analyst suggests the league take drastic steps in this situation.
Ryan Clark Advises WNBA to Ignore Distractions, Pushes for Improvement
For 13 seasons, Clark struck opponents as a safety, winning a Super Bowl in the process. Now, as the host of ” The Pivot” podcast, he takes aim at current events. Now, he imparts advice not only on league membership but also on the media as a whole.
The WNBA has a messaging problem—and it starts at the top.
After 30 years of fighting for respect and legitimacy, the league is finally on the cusp of its breakthrough. Yet the lack of professionalism at the highest level has trickled down.
Now, divisive gossip from a 9-point… pic.twitter.com/mDNreC2giv
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 11, 2026
“The WNBA has a messaging problem–and it starts at the top. After 30 years of fighting for respect and legitimacy, the league is finally on the cusp of its breakthrough. Yet the lack of professionalism at the highest level has trickled down. Now, divisive gossip from a 9-point scorer gets more attention than the league’s best teams and players.”
“It’s time for the media to redirect the conversation–and stop rewarding clowns who turn serious issues into spectacles for attention,” he added.
Clark’s advice starts with the league commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, who is roundly criticized for her perceived inability to build a strong culture within the league’s management offices. From her feuds with players, Engelbert has not distinguished herself.
Next, the former Pro Bowler took aim at Indiana Fever backup Sophie Cunningham. Despite rarely cracking the starting lineup, Cunningham gained attention for her anti-trans comments, which apparently resonated with those who wanted an athlete to latch on to.
Later, Clark made a plea to the media not to entertain the sideshow aspect. For example, career NBA backup Enes Kanter and former NBA first-rounder Royce White decided to “declare” for the WNBA draft, sending the internet into a meltdown in recent days.
The media, from blogs to national media, covered Kanter and White with a degree of seriousness. Although the duo doesn’t actually want to play in the league, they use the Cunningham controversy as a springboard.
Clark, formerly of ESPN, understands the 24-hour sports news cycle and how it continuously needs incidents or actions within a story to keep going. With Clark’s advice, how much will the WNBA take?
