The Women Running WNBA Teams Say They’d Pick Someone Other than Caitlin Clark to Build a Franchise Around

The insane women running WNBA teams say they wouldn’t pick Caitlin Clark to build a franchise.

This news shocks no one.

Before the 2025 season, executives were asked which player they would want to start a franchise with, and 50% said Clark. This year, with Clark heading into her third season after an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, playing only 12 games, and Bueckers coming off an impressive rookie season, winning Rookie of the Year honors, GMs’ minds changed drastically.

Clark received only 20% of the vote, while Bueckers led the voting with 33%. This is where WNBA legend, Lisa Leslie comes in.

She didn’t pull any punches as she expounded on her response to the survey saying, “This is a money business and the money is about Caitlin Clark.”

Leslie is spot on here. Reports say, Caitlin Clark has driven roughly 25%+ of the WNBA’s recent economic activity over the last two seasons. Clark has been the main driving factor for record attendance, record ratings, record merchandise sales, massive franchise appreciation, a $2.2B media deal, expansion fee inflation, and more. She’s not only the Indiana Fever’s, but the WNBA’s golden ticket. Her economic impact is off the charts…

..Leslie reinforced these facts in her appearance on “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith stating, “Never in the history of the WNBA, have we had a player force teams to play in larger arenas.”

…In the season opener in Indiana, as the Fever took on the Dallas Wings, the arena was obviously sold out with 16,000+ in attendance. It was Clark vs. Bueckers, with the addition of the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick, Azzi Fudd. It was obviously a hot ticket. Fast forward to game two for the Dallas Wings, who hosted Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream. They couldn’t even sell out the 7,000-seat arena.

“If you’re the GM, you’re obviously supposed to be bringing in money,” Leslie explained further.

It’s a no brainer –

Caitlin Clark is EASILY the most marketable WNBA player

– Every Fever game is on National TV
– Clark is the reason the WNBA revised their CBA/flies private
– Her shoes are more desirable
– Her sports cards sell for exponentially more
– She sells out NBA arenas

This list is 🗑️ pic.twitter.com/oK1boCDzAj

— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) May 9, 2026

These dumb execs are why the WNBA never made a profit – they are lost.