In the U.S., the Big Bang events in women’s sports, particularly basketball and soccer, are the only bright spots in a mostly dark sports universe that now includes pervasive gambling, Saudi money, the formation of super-leagues in college sports, along with the college transfer portal and NIL money.
I watched the Fever’s game last night. Clark appears to be adapting pretty well, I’d say. Unfortunately, the Fever are just not a very good team at this point. Of course, that’s how they got into the lottery for first draft pick (arguably the most important thing they’ve ever won). But still, even in a lopsided loss the game was quite fun to watch. Compared to the NBA, in the WNBA traveling gets called, it’s not a series of one-on-one setups, and defense tends to be played more consistently throughout the game, not just in the fourth quarter.
Do you think gambling has become a much worse problem in recent years? It's something I read a little about a few years ago but not followed that story as closely recently. On Saudi money, it is a big part of sport around the world now too, despite so many human rights concerns. Hard to imagine how it will ever go back, now that soccer/boxing have led the way to what seems like bottomless $$ offers.
On your final point, totally agree WNBA defense is top tier - it's what draws me to it over the NBA often!!
1. There are many levels (from winning to just being able to qualify to the Oympics or a tournament or a group stage).
2. Each achievement has its own worth and is for life. During a career, you may try to repeat or suplant it, but what you already achieved can't be taken away.
Unfortunately and ilogically, for Clark and Raducanu, achievements at an early age come with the added weight of being dependent on future performances in order to receive proper recognition.
And while these girls (young adults and relatively inexperienced pros) are yet to backup their conquests, all their moves get microanalyzed.
I guess there is top much pettiness and negativity in the world nowadays.
Great read. The LeBron-ification of Clark on ESPN has been quite something. I can’t even begin to imagine the pressure she’s under and that’s not even including winning games. The talking head shows would have you believe that the survival of the league rests on her and her alone.
Thanks for reading James. From the clips that have been on social media in the last few days, it only seems to be ramping up. Angel Reese is right to point out that there are many players coming through who are contributing to the growth in the W and women's basketball more generally. But that is getting lost in the noise around Clark. It seems to be a lot of broadcasters, with little knowledge of the W, who have the biggest platforms that are weighing in. People who know the league need to be given the space to help report on it in my view, it would allow for more balance!
In the U.S., the Big Bang events in women’s sports, particularly basketball and soccer, are the only bright spots in a mostly dark sports universe that now includes pervasive gambling, Saudi money, the formation of super-leagues in college sports, along with the college transfer portal and NIL money.
I watched the Fever’s game last night. Clark appears to be adapting pretty well, I’d say. Unfortunately, the Fever are just not a very good team at this point. Of course, that’s how they got into the lottery for first draft pick (arguably the most important thing they’ve ever won). But still, even in a lopsided loss the game was quite fun to watch. Compared to the NBA, in the WNBA traveling gets called, it’s not a series of one-on-one setups, and defense tends to be played more consistently throughout the game, not just in the fourth quarter.
Do you think gambling has become a much worse problem in recent years? It's something I read a little about a few years ago but not followed that story as closely recently. On Saudi money, it is a big part of sport around the world now too, despite so many human rights concerns. Hard to imagine how it will ever go back, now that soccer/boxing have led the way to what seems like bottomless $$ offers.
On your final point, totally agree WNBA defense is top tier - it's what draws me to it over the NBA often!!
Thank you for this timely piece!
Two characteristics of sporting achievements:
1. There are many levels (from winning to just being able to qualify to the Oympics or a tournament or a group stage).
2. Each achievement has its own worth and is for life. During a career, you may try to repeat or suplant it, but what you already achieved can't be taken away.
Unfortunately and ilogically, for Clark and Raducanu, achievements at an early age come with the added weight of being dependent on future performances in order to receive proper recognition.
And while these girls (young adults and relatively inexperienced pros) are yet to backup their conquests, all their moves get microanalyzed.
I guess there is top much pettiness and negativity in the world nowadays.
Let the girls grow and enjoy their careers!
Great read. The LeBron-ification of Clark on ESPN has been quite something. I can’t even begin to imagine the pressure she’s under and that’s not even including winning games. The talking head shows would have you believe that the survival of the league rests on her and her alone.
Thanks for reading James. From the clips that have been on social media in the last few days, it only seems to be ramping up. Angel Reese is right to point out that there are many players coming through who are contributing to the growth in the W and women's basketball more generally. But that is getting lost in the noise around Clark. It seems to be a lot of broadcasters, with little knowledge of the W, who have the biggest platforms that are weighing in. People who know the league need to be given the space to help report on it in my view, it would allow for more balance!