‘Going Downhill’ — Ex-Indiana Coach Warns WNBA of Consequences if Caitlin Clark Doesn’t Win a Championship Soon
· Yahoo Sports
With the WNBA season on hiatus as Caitlin Clark and other stars are in Germany for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, the media has time to assess the league’s current state.
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Former Indiana Hoosiers interim head coach Dan Dakich, known for his outspoken tendencies, issued a bold warning to the league during Tuesday’s episode of “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.”
He decided to go in on the WNBA as a whole regarding its treatment and coverage of Clark.
Former Indiana HC Calls Out WNBA Over Caitlin Clark Treatment
Dakich focused his latest episode on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and her upcoming departure from her post. Specifically, he called on the league and its next commissioner to figure out how to manage arguably the biggest star in the W and the long-term impact.
“If Caitlin Clark doesn’t win a championship this year or next year, this thing is going downhill,” Dakich said. “Don’t tell me about Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, or Olivia Miles. None of them matter. Don’t tell me about JuJu Watkins. The only one that matters is Caitlin Clark.”
Dakich noted that if the Indiana Fever doesn’t win the title this year or next, the league could be in for a major problem. This would likely keep the focus on other league stars and less on the superstar Clark.
“This is your time,” he added. “Appease Caitlin Clark and get it figured out.”
By getting it “figured out,” Dakich is alluding to the league’s promotion of Clark since she showed up in 2024. His take aligns with a broader belief that the three-time All-Star should be marketed at the level of LeBron James or Stephen Curry.
Dakich joins a loud chorus of people who routinely call out the WNBA, and his specific warning is that all the league’s momentum will go “downhill” fast if the Fever and Clark fail to win a title soon.
The Fever are currently fifth in the WNBA standings with a 26-14 record. Having already clinched a playoff spot, the franchise is hoping for a better result than last season, when Stephanie White’s squad fell in a close series to the eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces, in the semifinals.
Averaging 22.5 ppg and 8.4 apg, Clark seems to have brushed aside her injury woes and will be crucial for Indiana’s campaign if they are to win their first championship since 2012.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.