The WNBA has experienced many milestones over the years, but few have felt as culturally significant as this season, which 60 Minutes spotlighted in an extended feature on Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier.

Framed as a “watershed season” for women’s basketball, the segment illustrated not only the record-breaking numbers that the league is generating but also the stories of its players who are shaping this transformation.

Clark, the highly celebrated rookie, and Collier, an established veteran and union leader, represent two different but complementary sides of the league’s growth, symbolizing both the promise of new energy and the stability of proven excellence.

Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has been nothing short of seismic. From her college days at Iowa, where she shattered records and drew massive audiences, Clark carried her ability to command attention into her rookie campaign with the Indiana Fever.

According to 60 Minutes, she was directly responsible for sold-out arenas across the country and drove a staggering portion of the WNBA’s media coverage. Her deep three-pointers, fiery competitiveness, and undeniable charisma have made her not just a player to watch but a cultural phenomenon who transcends the sport.

But while Clark’s star power cannot be overstated, the program was careful to contextualize her emergence within the broader success of the league. Napheesa Collier, one of the WNBA’s most consistent and respected players, offered a crucial perspective.

As a champion with the Minnesota Lynx and a leader within the players’ union, Collier has witnessed firsthand the struggles and progress of women’s basketball. Her commentary highlighted that this surge in popularity is not only about one rookie but about years of dedication, growth, and persistence from athletes across the league. She emphasized that the momentum now being felt is a collective achievement.

The metrics alone underscore how transformative this season has been. The league reported a 153% increase in television ratings, a 48% jump in attendance, and multiple franchises selling out home games for the first time in history.

Merchandise sales have skyrocketed, with Clark jerseys topping charts but also creating spillover interest in other stars, from A’ja Wilson to Angel Reese. These numbers reflect more than a temporary spike; they signal a fundamental shift in how women’s sports are being consumed and valued in the broader sports market.

The 60 Minutes feature also shined a light on the cultural impact of this growth. For years, critics dismissed the WNBA as niche or irrelevant, but this season proved otherwise. Social media is filled with highlights of Clark’s logo threes, Reese’s trash talk, and Collier’s leadership moments, making WNBA content part of the daily sports conversation.

The league is no longer fighting simply for attention; it is commanding it. The narrative has shifted from “Can the WNBA survive?” to “How big can it get?” and “What structural changes must follow?”

One of the most pressing questions raised in the segment was about compensation and revenue sharing. Collier, who has been vocal in her role with the players’ union, pointed out the disparity between what WNBA players generate and what they actually earn under current contracts.

Despite record-breaking financial growth, rookie stars like Clark are limited by capped salaries that don’t reflect their economic impact. Clark herself is projected to drive hundreds of millions in league-wide revenue, yet her on-court salary is under $80,000. The tension between league earnings and player compensation will likely be a defining issue moving forward.

The intersection of Clark’s youth and Collier’s experience makes for a compelling narrative about where the WNBA stands today. Clark is the face of the new era, drawing young fans, new sponsors, and global media attention. Collier represents the league’s foundation—players who carried the torch during leaner years and ensured the infrastructure was strong enough to handle this surge.

Together, they embody a bridge between generations, with Clark benefiting from the groundwork laid by veterans, and veterans benefiting from the attention Clark and her peers have generated.

What makes this season so special is that the league’s success is not isolated to one team or one storyline. Multiple rookies, including Reese, Cameron Brink, and others, have created rivalries and personalities that fuel fan engagement.

Established stars like Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Jewell Loyd continue to deliver MVP-level performances. The competitive balance of the league ensures that fans are watching not only for Clark but for the drama of who will rise as champions. This ecosystem of stars is critical to sustaining growth long-term, preventing the league from relying too heavily on a single player.

The feature also touched on how the WNBA has become part of a larger movement in women’s sports. College women’s basketball already proved its marketability with record-breaking Final Four ratings, and soccer continues to draw massive crowds and sponsorships.

The WNBA is now positioned as the professional home for this rising generation of athletes and fans. If properly leveraged, the league could become the anchor of women’s sports in America, setting standards for pay equity, media representation, and cultural relevance.

However, challenges remain. While television ratings are up, media rights deals have not yet caught up to the league’s value. Sponsorships are increasing but still pale in comparison to men’s leagues.

Fan support, though growing, remains inconsistent across certain markets. 60 Minutes made clear that this watershed season is an opportunity, not a guarantee. Sustaining the growth will require smart leadership, reinvestment into players, and a willingness to embrace the rivalries and personalities that make the league compelling.

For Clark, the future is both exciting and daunting. She carries the expectations of being the league’s biggest star while navigating the pressures of a rookie season. The segment portrayed her as both grounded and ambitious, someone aware of her impact but determined to let her game define her legacy. For Collier, the mission is clear: ensure that the league uses this moment not just for headlines but for lasting structural change.

As a union leader, she is already laying the groundwork for the next collective bargaining agreement, which will likely be one of the most consequential in league history.

Ultimately, the 60 Minutes feature captured a league in transition. The WNBA is no longer simply fighting for relevance; it is building an empire. Clark, Collier, and their peers are not just athletes—they are cultural icons driving conversations about gender, equity, and opportunity in sports. This season will be remembered not only for the numbers but for the feeling that women’s basketball finally crossed into the mainstream.

Whether the league can sustain this trajectory will depend on how it balances stars with systems, economics with fairness, and entertainment with authenticity.

For fans, this watershed moment is an invitation. The WNBA is no longer waiting to be discovered; it has arrived. Clark’s fire and Collier’s wisdom reflect a league rich with stories worth following. As the season rolls forward into playoffs and beyond, one thing is clear: women’s basketball is not a side show—it’s the main event. And this is just the beginning of what promises to be a golden era for the WNBA.