Ex-NFL player Antonio Brown has continued his critique of the WNBA, labeling it a "charity for lesbians" following the league's report of an expected $50 million loss this year. Brown, who has repeatedly targeted Indiana Fever star and former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark, shared his opinions on social media platform X after a Washington Post report highlighted the league's financial struggles.
Despite the criticisms, Clark has significantly boosted the WNBA's visibility in her rookie season. The league has seen a remarkable increase in viewership, partly attributed to high-profile rookies like Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink. WNBA games are now averaging 1.32 million viewers, a substantial rise from the previous season's average of 462,200 viewers.
Attendance figures are also rising, with over 400,000 fans attending games in May alone, marking the highest attendance in 26 years. Merchandise sales have surged by 236 percent, with Clark, Reese, and Brink among the top sellers.
The WNBA's current TV rights deal, which is around $60 million annually, is due for renegotiation next year. The NBA, which owns 60 percent of the WNBA, will handle the new negotiations. Reports suggest that the combined TV rights deal for the NBA and WNBA could exceed $7 billion, significantly higher than the current $2.7 billion per year. Despite financial challenges, the WNBA continues to grow in popularity and market presence.