Discussion around the WNBA at ESPN has significantly increased this year, largely due to the impact of Caitlin Clark and the 2024 rookie class. This surge in coverage raises the question: should ESPN have amplified WNBA coverage sooner?
During a “First Take” segment, ESPN analyst Monica McNutt challenged co-host Stephen A. Smith for not sufficiently covering women’s sports in the past.
“Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Smith posed during the show.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt responded, prompting a surprised “Wow” from Smith.
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There’s validity to both perspectives. Recently, “First Take” and ESPN have indeed stepped up their support for the WNBA and women’s sports, largely propelled by stars like Caitlin Clark.
Yet, it’s also true that ESPN, like much of the sports media landscape, may not have given women’s sports the attention they deserved historically.
However, dwelling on past coverage does little now. What’s important is the current focus and momentum behind the WNBA, ensuring it continues to grow and receive the recognition it merits.
