The rise of the Minnesota Lynx and different surprises of the WNBA season to this point

With the 2024 WNBA season nearing the midway level, now could be pretty much as good a time as any to have a look again and mirror on what has stunned us.

Yearly is an journey, and whereas some issues proceed to stay identical, there have been some modifications within the league that I wasn’t ready for. Listed below are those that stood out probably the most:

The aftereffects of the Caitlin Clark Impact

All of us knew Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA can be a giant deal. The No. 1 choose within the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever has many followers, large expertise and is an electrifying participant. Nevertheless, none of us may’ve been ready for a way uncontrolled the circus has been.

One way or the other, she’s been considered because the hero, the villain and the martyr all rolled into one. She’s turn out to be a lightning rod for dialogue about race, privilege and total respect for and data concerning the girls who play the game.

When one thing goes from indie to mainstream, rising pains all the time come together with such a transition. Nevertheless, this one has been significantly ugly to look at. I feel it is telling that Clark doesn’t want to be held responsible for the worst takes about her and has tried to remain out of all of the noise. A lot of this was predictable, however we’re all stunned by how dangerous it has been at instances, and the way the loudest and most ignorant voices have obtained probably the most consideration.

Even hype is certain by the legal guidelines of physics, and issues have begun to quiet down. Clark remains to be must-watch TV, however not attracts front-page information for each loss or exhausting foul that has occurred one million instances to one million gamers earlier than. I am certain the hype and controversy surrounding her will come up once more. It is most likely a small situation that goes from a molehill to a mountain. However transferring ahead, I will be extra ready for it as a result of these first few months definitely took me unexpectedly.

The Lynx are again!

Set Quantity: X164535 TK1

Each season, a group surprises us; that group this yr is the Minnesota Lynx.

A sub .500 squad final yr, they presently sit tied with the second-best report within the league. Not too long ago, they beat the New York Liberty to turn out to be the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup champions.

Napheesa Collier is having a profession yr, averaging 20.9 factors, 10.4 rebounds and three.7 assists per recreation. With Collier taking part in at such an elite degree, that is not only a feel-good story; it is proof that the Lynx are legit title contenders.

New sponsorships

Picture by Adam Hagy/NBAE through Getty Pictures

I did not anticipate the Las Vegas Conference and Guests Authority to sponsor a group, presenting all Aces gamers a $100,000 endorsement deal. And I definitely did not anticipate that to result in a WNBA investigation, however with this league, nothing ought to shock you.

A’ja Wilson getting a shoe was a pleasing shock, with Nike operating an attention-grabbing marketing campaign by launching a website referred to as ofcourseihaveashoe.com. Wilson additionally has a brand new emblem that has been met with combined outcomes from followers, however her new merchandise appears to be promoting nicely.

That, together with non-public planes and new offers popping up for stars and position gamers alike, reveals that the sport is rising in new and attention-grabbing methods. So, whereas there are rising pains with the event of the WNBA, it’ll, ultimately, result in more cash and alternatives for everybody concerned.