WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark churns out ideas to help the NBA increase its ratings after news of plummeting numbers.
Women’s basketball phenom Caitlin Clark just revealed herself to be a big fan of the four-point line, something that the PBA has spearheaded in pro basketball, as the NBA struggles to boost its ratings in the current 2024-25 season.
Speaking to American football duo Jason and Travis Kelce on their podcast New Heights, Clark said that it would be a “great idea” to employ the four-point line as an innovation, which has separated the PBA from its other contemporaries since its implementation this season despite mixed reactions.
That is, with the NBA Cup seemingly declining in popularity, she believes it’s the next step in spicing up the league.
“I love that. Let’s do it. That’s a great idea… four-point line,” said Clark, agreeing with Travis who first mentioned it.
“That’s actually, genius.” remarked Jason.
Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, also shared her thoughts on why the NBA’s numbers are falling. Only having been in the WNBA for one full season, she said that the changes in the way players are playing don’t sit well with NBA fans.
“Honestly, I feel like the average basketball fan doesn’t understand how good NBA players are and they think it looks like they’re not trying. I promise you they’re trying, they’re just like, so good. Like that’s why it looks like they’re not trying,” said Clark.
“Obviously, the physicality of the league has changed a lot and I wasn’t around when it was much more physical and maybe people want more beef and physicality, and people think it’s gone soft. I think also that the skill has just changed and like, that’s what’s great about basketball it’s always evolving. Like it’s gonna be different than when MJ played, it’s gonna be different in 10 years than what it is now,” she added.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year also said that because of the timings, the NBA is currently competing with the NFL season — where, coincidentally, Travis also plays with the reigning champions Kansas City Chiefs.
But as far as she’s concerned, the NBA fan should also learn to appreciate how the game has evolved in its gameplay. That is, while high-flying dunks and hard drives to the basket are a delight to see, so are high-arching and booming triples.
“So it’s hard for me to put my finger on why it has gone down and also it’s competing against a lot of football right now. You have to take that into consideration. Football is just, you know, that’s America’s favorite thing,” she said.
“I think people should like… I mean, I love three-point shooting, I love seeing guys just like launch threes but not everybody loves that so, I don’t know,” she added.
Despite the PBA being the first pro league to incorporate the 4-point shot in regular season play, the NBA and the WNBA have both dabbled in the four-point line — but it has largely been limited to All-Star Games.