Jemele Hill is calling out certain media outlets for what she views as misleading and “irresponsible” reporting on the WNBA playoffs, particularly in relation to the league’s TV ratings. As the postseason unfolds, some headlines have focused on the decline in viewership following the early exit of college basketball sensation Caitlin Clark, which Hill believes paints an unfair picture of the WNBA’s success.
The controversy began after Game 2 between the Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun drew an impressive 2.5 million viewers, largely attributed to fans tuning in to watch Clark, one of the sport’s rising stars. When she was eliminated from the tournament, however, reports quickly surfaced about a significant drop in ratings.
For example, Game 1 of the semifinals between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty brought in 929,000 viewers, which led some outlets to declare that WNBA ratings had “plummeted” without Clark’s presence.
Hill, however, isn’t having it. She argues that such reporting is irresponsible, as it fails to capture the broader picture of the WNBA’s growth. In reality, Game 1 of the semifinals between the Aces and Liberty marked the most-watched WNBA semifinal game in 22 years. Hill believes that focusing solely on a dip in ratings without Clark diminishes the league’s achievements and overlooks the fact that women’s basketball is on the rise.
“I keep seeing irresponsible headlines claiming the WNBA playoffs are down because of no Caitlin Clark,” Hill wrote. “Would the ratings be higher if she were in it? Of course. But guess what, a Finals would rate higher if it were LeBron vs. Steph. Or if big market teams were in the mix. So what? That’s the headline.”
RELATED: Jemele Hill Criticizes Brittany Mahomes Over Her Political Views
Hill’s point is that while star power undoubtedly influences ratings—just as in the NBA when marquee matchups like LeBron James versus Steph Curry draw larger audiences—the WNBA is still breaking records.
She emphasizes that the league’s current success should not be overshadowed by Clark’s absence. The fact that Game 1 of the semifinals was a historic viewing event for the league proves that the WNBA is making strides, regardless of who’s on the court.
Though it’s true that Caitlin Clark would have boosted viewership had she remained in the playoffs, the WNBA cannot control which players advance. What they can control, however, is their continued growth and the overall increasing popularity of women’s basketball.
The record-breaking numbers in this year’s playoffs without Clark are evidence that the WNBA is attracting more viewers and gaining momentum.
Hill’s defense of the league underscores a larger point: Women’s sports deserve fair and balanced coverage. Headlines that focus solely on ratings dips, without considering the context of overall growth, miss the mark. As more people tune into the WNBA playoffs, even without a star like Clark, it’s clear that the league is continuing to build a dedicated and expanding fanbase.
In Hill’s view, the media should focus on the bigger story—that women’s basketball is on the rise, and the WNBA is setting new records.
Leave a Reply