“We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to be cautious and we’re going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally.” Head coach of Indiana Fever, Stephanie White is playing the long game to clinch the 2025 title. And her superstar athlete has been at the forefront, this season. She has been bolstering the roster and breaking records on the way. She even surpassed Sabrina Ionescu to score 20+ points and 10+ assists in a game. While the 2024 ROTY kept racking up records for herself and the team, the latest record in the belt has placed entire league in a critical situation.
When Caitlin Clark was sidelined after a successful 4-game run in the regular season, not only did Fever lose their star facilitator, but also struggled with confidence and rhythm. And while we thought it was just Fever and Clark’s fans who took the blow, think again. Her left quadriceps sprain sent the entire WNBA into a dump. The athlete’s season-opener against the Chicago Sky had over 2.7 million viewers. However, the league’s TV ratings have drastically dropped to more than 50% and Fever’s ratings went down to 53% since Clark was sidelined.
Despite having some idea about a dip in the ratings owing to the star’s injury, the viewership numbers come as a massive setback for WNBA and made the journey sour for 143 players associated with it. That is the impact of the celebrity with one of the highest fanbases. Ex-ESPN host and national analyst Rachel DeMita talked about the repercussions of the event on her latest video. “This news is alarming for the league,” DeMita began. “And because this is such a crucial year for the WNBA. At the end of this season the WNBA will go into CBA negotiations .”
The Collective Bargaining Agreement or the CBA is a legal contract that is signed between the franchises and their respective players. Moreover, the CBA includes salaries of all those involved, revenue sharing with the league, overseas accommodations and travel during games, and ensures optimal working conditions for players and coaches. The deal ensures safety and integrity of players and the coaches involved. Having said that, the national analyst emphasized on 2025 being a crucial year for the league as they enter into crucial negotiations with the CBA before the contract expires on October 31, 2025.
“If negotiations go well then every single player in the WNBA has a much better chance of making so much more in their next contract,” DeMita added. The W has been functioning on a 2020 negotiation with the CBA so far, which also includes satellite television and viewership revenue. With a massive decline in the games this season, the player’s association can push for less revenue in buying media rights and more attention towards digital broadcasting. Meanwhile, Fever’s nationally televised games have averaged 1,810,000 viewers with Clark, compared to 847,000 without her during the last two seasons.
And once the negotiations go accordingly where the legal authority agrees to the terms of the WNBA and players’ association with respect to media rights, there are chances of an increase in player’s income. Currently the salary cap for each team stands at $1.5 million. Of which, salaries are distributed between $249,000 as highest pay to a minimum of $65,000. However, looking at better revenue generation lately, the players have been asking for a raise.
Providing another reason for the sudden decrease in the overall ratings, DeMita said, “A lot of people stopped watching because they are boycotting the WNBA. They don’t want to give viewership to any other teams. Or any other players whether they like other players on the team or not.” This a lot for teams like Golden State Valkyries who, despite being the newly added team, has been faring well so far. The decision to mutually boycott games also comes after what went down between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever during the season opener. A lot of fans wish to avoid the drama and chose to opt out from being involved altogether.
Aari McDonald shines early but Indiana Fever falter in clash against Natasha Howard and Co.
As a free agent signed on a hardship contract, Aari McDonald absolutely lit up the Indiana Fever’s locker room when she stepped in. While the roster warmly welcomed the athlete and ensured not to pressurize her in the first game, Aari turned out to be the flame that the roster needed.
Jun 3, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) celebrates during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smth- INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images
She almost immediately gelled into the locker room and stepped up to take on guard duties. Without any ifs and buts. She quickly came off the bench in the first game and has propelled the team into two spectacular wins, against Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky.
So, naturally there were high expectations from the point guard as the Indiana Fever stepped on the Gateway Centre arena. Well, it is not easy going against team that boasts of athletic and power-packed players like Brittney Griner and Rhyne Howard. However, the Fever newcomer took the reins on the shoulders and rallied the team forward.
She outshined Natasha Howard on the hardwood, who had scored 15 points for the team. McDonald even managed to tally 9 points within 8 minutes of playing in the first quarter. She put up a tough front against the Dream, thereby providing a much-needed momentum to the Fever. Moreover, she managed to garner a 33-33 tie entering the third quarter.
While she dished a total of 11 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists for the roster, her efforts fell flat as the team gave in to the Dream’s physicality. Will the losing streak continue as they face New York Liberty or will they give them a befitting reply for the previous game? That remains to be seen.
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