In a moment that brought immense excitement for women’s sports, Caitlin Clark—star of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and one of the biggest names in college sports—made her golf debut at the LPGA Pro-Am in Leon, France. While this was a monumental event for Caitlin and for women’s sports in general, what struck many fans and commentators was how the LPGA handled the occasion with exemplary marketing and promotion, in stark contrast to how the WNBA has handled Caitlin’s rise and the increasing attention around her.

The LPGA’s handling of Caitlin Clark’s Pro-Am debut could be called nothing short of brilliant. The organization recognized the incredible value of Caitlin’s influence, capitalizing on her enormous fanbase and media presence to bring attention to women’s golf. In a world where live streaming and media attention for women’s sports is often limited, the LPGA went above and beyond to promote the event. Not only was the event televised, but the LPGA ensured Caitlin was paired with their top golfer, Nelly Korda—currently ranked as the number one female golfer in the world. The synergy of pairing these two stars was a win-win for both Caitlin and the LPGA, drawing in viewers who might have otherwise never tuned into golf.

From social media to fan interactions, the LPGA worked to make Caitlin’s presence a centerpiece of their event. Photos, videos, and posts showcasing Caitlin interacting with fans and players flooded social media. The buzz around Caitlin’s appearance in the Pro-Am was everywhere. Even her moments on the course, like hitting a ball into the crowd, were embraced as human moments that only added to the charm of her appearance.

In contrast, the WNBA’s handling of Caitlin Clark’s prominence has been far less enthusiastic. While Caitlin’s achievements on the basketball court have been groundbreaking, her rise to fame has often been met with hesitation and reluctance from the WNBA to give her the recognition she truly deserves. Throughout the last season, there were constant debates around whether Caitlin should be praised too much, whether her individual accomplishments should be celebrated when the league also wanted to highlight other players. In the WNBA, there has often been a balancing act of trying not to put too much focus on Caitlin for fear of overshadowing other stars or disturbing the league’s established narrative.

One of the most telling moments of the difference in approach between the LPGA and WNBA was the stark absence of any official acknowledgment or celebration of Caitlin’s appearance in the Pro-Am event from the WNBA’s official channels. While the LPGA made sure Caitlin’s every move was celebrated on their social media, the WNBA posted nothing. The opportunity was there for the WNBA to share in Caitlin’s moment, to celebrate her visibility, and to promote the broader ecosystem of women’s sports. But they missed it.

This isn’t the first time the WNBA has hesitated to promote its rising stars. There has been a broader, frustrating trend of the league not fully embracing the immense value that high-profile players like Caitlin bring to the table. The reality is that the WNBA has been slow to recognize how critical it is to highlight the players who are generating excitement and drawing fans into the league. Caitlin Clark has helped elevate the profile of women’s college basketball, and she is a figure that could carry that momentum into the WNBA, but if the league continues to downplay her contributions or sideline its best players, it risks missing out on expanding its audience and influence.

What stood out in the LPGA’s handling of Caitlin’s debut wasn’t just their marketing savvy, but also the culture of support they created. Caitlin Clark was not treated as an outsider or a curiosity, but as a part of a broader movement to push women’s sports forward. In contrast, some critics of the WNBA have pointed to a culture of scarcity—the idea that there’s only so much room for any one player to shine, especially in a league where the spotlight is often limited.

By contrast, the LPGA showed how powerful it is to embrace and amplify the talents of women across different sports. Instead of fearing the spotlight on Caitlin, the LPGA embraced it, knowing it would bring more eyes to their sport and raise the profile of their athletes. They didn’t see Caitlin’s presence as a threat; they saw it as an opportunity to grow the entire industry.

The events of Caitlin Clark’s golf debut underline a bigger issue facing the WNBA: a reluctance to take risks in its marketing and promotion of players. In an era where the conversation about women’s sports has never been more vibrant, the WNBA has a unique opportunity to capitalize on its growing visibility. But it cannot afford to waste this moment.

The league has a wealth of young talent on the rise, including stars like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, and yet the question remains: will the WNBA learn from Caitlin’s success? Will they step up their game when it comes to marketing, media presence, and promotion of their players? Or will they continue to hesitate, fearing that too much attention on one player might overshadow others?

If the WNBA wants to grow its fanbase, it must embrace the potential of its athletes. Women’s sports, as a whole, are on the cusp of a breakthrough. But leagues like the WNBA need to stop playing it safe and start thinking big, just as the LPGA has done with Caitlin Clark. In doing so, they can create a more sustainable future for women’s basketball, and open doors for generations of young girls to see a future in the game—one that’s as bright as Caitlin Clark’s career.

Caitlin Clark’s golf debut at the LPGA Pro-Am was a moment to celebrate, not just for her, but for women’s sports everywhere. It highlighted the importance of recognizing and promoting stars who are bringing new audiences to the table. The LPGA’s success in capitalizing on this moment should be a blueprint for other women’s sports leagues, particularly the WNBA, which must learn from this example and start embracing the spotlight on its stars. For the future of women’s professional basketball, the time for hesitation is over. It’s time to shine.

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