The WNBA Finals should’ve been a celebration — the culmination of a long, hard-fought season featuring the best talent in the league. But instead, empty seats, $5 tickets, and visible frustration from A’ja Wilson have turned this year’s championship series into a public embarrassment for the league.

While the Las Vegas Aces continue their dominance on the court, it’s the Caitlin Clark Effect — and her glaring absence — that’s dominating every conversation.

Fans tuning in to Game 2 of the Finals were shocked by what they saw: an arena with entire sections of empty seats, despite the WNBA’s attempts to hype up the matchup as “historic.” Ticket resale sites were listing seats for as little as $5, and even with those prices, the turnout was abysmal. Social media exploded with photos and videos of near-empty stands, leading fans to call the scene “embarrassing,” “sad,” and “a wake-up call for the league.”

What makes it worse? The reigning MVP, A’ja Wilson, reportedly lost her cool after the game, expressing frustration over the lack of fan support — and, according to multiple sources, pointing fingers at Caitlin Clark for the WNBA’s growing attendance issues.

“It’s frustrating, honestly,” Wilson said in a tense postgame interview. “We’re out here competing at the highest level, and people act like this isn’t good enough just because one player isn’t in the Finals.”

That “one player,” of course, is Caitlin Clark — the rookie phenom whose impact on ticket sales, television ratings, and national interest has been undeniable. Ever since the Indiana Fever were eliminated from playoff contention, the WNBA’s numbers have nosedived. The league’s most-watched player is nowhere to be found in the Finals, and it’s painfully clear how much her presence — or absence — matters.

Fans were quick to point out the contrast between the Fever’s regular-season games and the Finals. When Clark was on the court, arenas were packed to capacity. The Fever sold out nearly every away game, and even preseason matchups drew national attention. But now, without her, the WNBA’s supposed marquee event looks like a preseason scrimmage.

“The optics are horrible,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “How are Finals tickets $5? How do you have the MVP on the floor and still can’t sell out a playoff game?”

Wilson’s frustration reportedly boiled over behind the scenes as well. According to one locker room source, she snapped when asked about Clark again during media availability, saying:

“I’m tired of every question being about her. We’re here. We’re winning. What more do we need to do?”

While Wilson’s anger may be understandable, many fans and analysts believe her comments expose a deeper issue within the WNBA — a disconnect between its players, leadership, and audience. Instead of embracing Clark’s influence as a rising tide that lifts all boats, some players appear resentful of the attention she commands.

Sports analysts didn’t hold back either. ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt commented on the situation during SportsCenter, saying,

“You can’t ignore what Caitlin Clark has done for this league. These empty seats are proof. The numbers don’t lie — when she’s not playing, the interest drops.”

Even former WNBA players have started speaking out. One retired veteran told The Athletic:

“It’s not about jealousy — it’s about reality. Caitlin brings in fans, money, sponsors, and coverage. If you take her out of the equation, you see what happens. The league needs to embrace her, not fight her.”

Meanwhile, Aces coach Becky Hammon tried to downplay the issue, telling reporters,

“We’re not worried about who’s in the stands. We play for each other.”

But privately, league insiders are panicking. According to multiple reports, WNBA officials are deeply concerned about the optics of half-empty arenas during the Finals. The league had banked on record-breaking attendance following Clark’s rookie season, only to face plummeting ticket sales when she wasn’t part of the championship picture.

And it’s not just about ticket sales — viewership is crashing, too. Early Nielsen data suggests that TV ratings for the Finals are down nearly 40% compared to the Fever’s regular-season averages. Even die-hard fans admit the Finals “just don’t feel special” without Clark’s presence or storyline driving the conversation.

“This is a marketing disaster,” one sports business analyst told Forbes. “When your championship games can’t fill seats or draw viewers, that’s not on the players — that’s on leadership.”

That leadership, of course, points straight to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who’s already under fire for a string of controversies — from mishandling officiating complaints to alienating players like Napheesa Collier and Sophie Cunningham. Now, the Finals’ empty seats are yet another blemish on her record, sparking fresh calls for her resignation.

Fans also noticed how WNBA social media accounts have drastically reduced mentions of Caitlin Clark during the Finals — a move some interpret as deliberate. “It’s like they’re trying to prove they don’t need her,” one fan tweeted, “but the $5 tickets say otherwise.”

Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson, despite her MVP status, has found herself in the middle of this storm. Her comments about Clark have drawn criticism from both fans and analysts who see them as tone-deaf. “A’ja’s great, but she’s missing the point,” one commentator said on Undisputed. “Caitlin isn’t the problem. She’s the proof that people care. The league just hasn’t figured out how to capitalize on it.”

Some fans defended Wilson, saying the league has put too much weight on Clark’s shoulders too quickly. “A’ja has been carrying the W for years,” one fan wrote. “She’s tired of being treated like an afterthought in her own Finals.”

Still, the broader narrative is unavoidable: the WNBA needs Caitlin Clark. Her games sell out. Her jerseys outsell everyone’s. Her name trends after every performance. And her absence, as these Finals prove, leaves a void no one else can fill — not even the reigning MVP.

By the time Game 3 tips off, the league will likely try to spin the story — offering discounts, promos, and celebrity appearances to boost attendance. But the truth is already out: without Clark, the WNBA’s “momentum” looks manufactured.

And as photos of empty arenas flood social media, the question becomes louder and clearer than ever —
If Caitlin Clark isn’t there, are fans even watching?