Mystics owner Sheila Johnson has stirred significant media debate after expressing her views on WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark being named Time’s Athlete of the Year. In a recent interview, Johnson argued that the WNBA’s recent surge in popularity is not due to one player alone but is the result of a collective effort from the entire 2024 rookie class.
“It has taken the WNBA almost 28 years to get to the point where we are now, and this year something clicked with the league because of the draft class that came in. It’s not just Caitlin Clark—it’s [Angel] Reece and so many others. We have an abundance of talent that has gone unrecognized, and I don’t think we can credit one player alone,” Johnson stated.
The WNBA experienced a record-breaking 2024 season in terms of viewership and ticket sales. Average game viewership soared to 657,000, while the WNBA Finals drew over 2 million viewers—a historic high. Networks such as CBS and ESPN reported several record-breaking broadcasts throughout the season. For the first time in league history, the WNBA seemed to reach a pivotal point of mainstream success.
Multiple factors likely contributed to this growth
WNBA Owner Questions Caitlin Clark Winning Time’s Athlete of the Year
