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Candace Parker Reveals Solution for WNBA Amid Caitlin Clark’s Second Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As June rolls on and both the NBA finals and Stanley Cup wrap up, the WNBA is stepping into the spotlight during its 2025 season.
The league has already generated plenty of headlines, many driven by off-court discussions and growing rivalries. Across the WNBA, there’s a clear push to secure the respect and visibility long sought by players and fans alike.
Candace Parker joined ESPN's "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday to deliver a powerful message about the WNBA's focus.
"Now everybody has a Twitter finger. Everybody can have reach to the wnba and make comments. But really the key is let’s keep it about basketball.”
Her comments were in response to Smith’s question about whether the WNBA’s contributions are underappreciated.
The topic comes at a time when league star Caitlin Clark is sidelined with an injury. She’s expected to miss at least two weeks.
Her absence coincided with a dip in viewership. Her May 17 game against Chicago drew 2.7 million viewers, while a recent Fever matchup without her drew 851,000, according to Men's Journal.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Parker, who retired from the WNBA after the 2023 season, was asked whether she felt any resentment over the league's current state:
"My job was to leave the game better than I came into it. You think Cheryl Miller is resentful of me because I had a league to play in? No. She's a mentor. She’s supportive and loving, sitting courtside cheering on JuJu Watkins. And I’m doing the same for Caitlin Clark and all the women in the WNBA."
She went on to emphasize what the league needs to grow moving forward.
"I think rivalry is super important. I think conversation is super important. I tuned in when Kevin Durant played Russell Westbrook and they bumped shoulders — everyone was watching. But I want to keep it within the lines of the game. That’s what matters most."
She is referring to several situations recently in the WNBA where an incident on the court turned to much debate off the court, including the first game of the season when Clark took a flagrant 1 foul on Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky.
Parker was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Over her storied career, she won three WNBA titles, earned two MVP awards, made seven all-star appearances and was named 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
As June rolls on and both the NBA finals and Stanley Cup wrap up, the WNBA is stepping into the spotlight during its 2025 season.
The league has already generated plenty of headlines, many driven by off-court discussions and growing rivalries. Across the WNBA, there’s a clear push to secure the respect and visibility long sought by players and fans alike.
Candace Parker joined ESPN's "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith on Tuesday to deliver a powerful message about the WNBA's focus.
"Now everybody has a Twitter finger. Everybody can have reach to the wnba and make comments. But really the key is let’s keep it about basketball.”
Her comments were in response to Smith’s question about whether the WNBA’s contributions are underappreciated.
The topic comes at a time when league star Caitlin Clark is sidelined with an injury. She’s expected to miss at least two weeks.
Her absence coincided with a dip in viewership. Her May 17 game against Chicago drew 2.7 million viewers, while a recent Fever matchup without her drew 851,000, according to Men's Journal.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22).© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Parker, who retired from the WNBA after the 2023 season, was asked whether she felt any resentment over the league's current state:
"My job was to leave the game better than I came into it. You think Cheryl Miller is resentful of me because I had a league to play in? No. She's a mentor. She’s supportive and loving, sitting courtside cheering on JuJu Watkins. And I’m doing the same for Caitlin Clark and all the women in the WNBA."
She went on to emphasize what the league needs to grow moving forward.
"I think rivalry is super important. I think conversation is super important. I tuned in when Kevin Durant played Russell Westbrook and they bumped shoulders — everyone was watching. But I want to keep it within the lines of the game. That’s what matters most."
She is referring to several situations recently in the WNBA where an incident on the court turned to much debate off the court, including the first game of the season when Clark took a flagrant 1 foul on Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky.
Parker was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Over her storied career, she won three WNBA titles, earned two MVP awards, made seven all-star appearances and was named 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Related: Caitlin Clark’s Former Teammate Lands New Team After 0 Minutes with Indiana Fever
Related: Atlanta Dream Coach Had Strong Words After Brittney Griner’s Return
Related: Atlanta Dream Coach Had Strong Words After Brittney Griner’s Return
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Continue reading...
