In a move that defies basic economic logic and reeks of internal politics, the WNBA has released its venue plan for the 2026 season, and the message is loud, clear, and baffling: “We don’t need Caitlin Clark.”
Despite the Indiana Fever being the single greatest economic engine in the history of the league, WNBA owners have drastically reduced the number of Fever games scheduled for larger NBA arenas. Last season, nine Fever road games were moved to massive venues to accommodate the “Clarkconomics” tsunami. This year? That number has plummeted to just four.
This decision isn’t just a scheduling quirk; it is being viewed by analysts as a calculated, pride-fueled gamble by league executives and owners who are desperate to prove that the WNBA’s recent success is not dependent on one 22-year-old superstar. But as the saying goes, “pride comes before a fall,” and the WNBA might be about to take a very expensive tumble.
The Math Doesn’t Lie (But Owners Do)
The official line coming from team spokespeople is one of caution. They claim the reduction in venue changes is due to “injury concerns,” citing Clark’s absence from the court for a significant portion of last season. The logic is that they don’t want to book a 20,000-seat arena if the main attraction might be sitting on the bench.
However, a closer look at the data reveals this excuse to be flimsy at best. Even when Clark was injured last year, Fever road games averaged a staggering 15,884 fans—4,000 more than the next closest team. The demand didn’t evaporate just because she was in street clothes; the brand she built carried the weight.
Furthermore, while the league is cutting back on Clark’s big games, they are actually increasing the total number of arena moves for other teams—from 15 last year to 19 this year. The Toronto expansion team alone has five games moved to bigger venues. The Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings have seen their big-stage opportunities reduced as well. The message is unmistakable: We will grow the league, but we will do it on our terms, not Caitlin’s.
The “Jealousy” Factor: Sheila Johnson and Renee Montgomery
Insiders point to a specific faction of WNBA ownership as the driving force behind this strategy. Prominent figures like Renee Montgomery (part-owner of the Atlanta Dream) and Sheila Johnson (part-owner of the Washington Mystics) have been vocal about their desire to spread the credit for the league’s growth.
Johnson, in particular, famously complained when Time Magazine named Caitlin Clark their Athlete of the Year, arguing that the honor should have gone to “the whole league.” It is a sentiment rooted in a desire for collective validation, but in the business world, it reads as resentment.
Last season, the Dream and the Mystics both moved games against Indiana to NBA arenas to capitalize on the ticket sales. This year? Zero. Both franchises have seemingly decided that they would rather play in smaller, half-empty venues than admit that Caitlin Clark is the reason they are selling out. It is a classic case of cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.
The “Wait and See” Hedge
Of course, these owners aren’t entirely oblivious to the smell of burning money. The current schedule acts as a “hedge.” By keeping the early-season games in smaller home arenas, they can claim they aren’t relying on Clark. However, analysts predict a wave of “scheduling updates” in February and March.
Why? Because when the reality of operating costs hits, and the pre-season hype settles, owners will look at their balance sheets. They will see the difference between a 4,000-seat sellout and a 20,000-seat sellout. They will remember the massive revenue injection they got last time the Fever came to town.
“Whatever they say now,” one analyst noted, “watch what happens when the bills come due. They’ll quietly move those games, blame it on ‘overwhelming demand,’ and cash the checks.”
The CBA Uncertainty
Adding another layer of complexity is the looming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation. The 2026 season is currently in jeopardy of not even starting on time if a deal isn’t reached.
This uncertainty gives NBA arena managers a valid reason to hesitate. Why block out dates for a WNBA game that might not happen when you could book Taylor Swift, the Jonas Brothers, or a guaranteed concert sellout? The lack of a finalized CBA forces owners to keep their dates open, further complicating the schedule.
A Dangerous Game of Chicken
The WNBA is currently playing a dangerous game of chicken with its own fanbase. They are betting that the millions of “casuals” who tuned in for Caitlin Clark have now been converted into hardcore WNBA loyalists who will watch any team, anywhere. They are betting that the “product” is strong enough to stand on its own without its primary marketing hook.
It is a bold strategy, and perhaps a necessary one for the long-term health of the league. No business wants to be entirely dependent on one asset. But trying to artificially suppress that asset’s visibility to prove a point is not strategy; it’s ego.
If the ratings drop and the attendance figures normalize back to pre-2024 levels, the “We Don’t Need Caitlin” crowd will have a lot of explaining to do. They have the golden goose right in front of them, and instead of feeding it, they’re trying to hide it in the barn. In the world of professional sports, where revenue is the only stat that truly matters, that isn’t just a mistake—it’s malpractice.
