Caitlin Clark has done a lot for the women's basketball game.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft has brought millions of new eyeballs to the sport. TV ratings are up, ticket sales have increased, salaries are bigger, etc. But Clark's arrival in the WNBA has not come without controversy, either.
Clark has been involved in a lot of controversial discussions regarding the game. Most, if not all, of this is not her fault. However, everyone around Clark seems to not know how to behave.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.
At a certain point, all of this gets pretty tiring. The constant debates and arguing and hating on Clark takes away from some really good basketball that's happening within the WNBA.
Would the league be better off without her?
That's what one analyst is arguing.
Former NFL player argues WNBA would be 'better off' without her
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho is arguing that the WNBA would be "better off" without Clark, despite her talent and popularity.
The former NFL pass rusher made the comments on his "Speakeasy" podcast.
"The W, at this junction in time, would be better off without Caitlin Clark because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive," Acho said.
"Caitlin Clark has gotten the WNBA over the necessary threshold they needed. Now, people are watching. Now, we realize there's talent in the W that's actually even greater than Caitlin Clark…
"Caitlin got the necessary eyes there, but now that the eyes are there, we don't necessarily need her anymore."
Acho didn't hold back.
"Caitlin Clark has gotten the WNBA players past the proverbial Red Sea. Chartered planes, new CBA, new max contracts. With all due respect, if Caitlin disappeared from the W, she wouldn't be missed."
Of course, most of the WNBA - and sports world at large - would disagree.
