A Marketing Masterclass: How the WNBA’s Perplexing Silence Was Revealed by the LPGA’s Adoption of Caitlin Clark BB Though it wasn’t on the basketball court, Caitlin Clark recently made waves in the women’s sports industry. Fans and analysts were both amazed and, to be honest, triggered by her explosive debut at an LPGA Pro-Am event. The WNBA’s deafening silence was stark and profound, while the LPGA threw her a lavish welcome and treated her like the royalty she is.
This was a carefully planned cultural moment, not just a famous person swinging a golf club. In a brilliant marketing move, the LPGA made Clark the undisputed focal point of the entire event rather than just inviting her. They knew what they had. There was so much excitement that thousands of fans successfully demanded that the event, which had never been televised before, be aired nationwide. The LPGA struck gold when it did.
The execution was brilliant. In addition to allowing Clark to play, the LPGA paired her with the top-ranked golfer in the world, Nelly Korda. Imagine the world’s best golfer playing alongside the biggest name in women’s basketball. This was no accident. It was a calculated action to guarantee that their entire sport would benefit from the “Caitlin Clark effect.” And it was successful.
Social media was flooded with images of Clark and Korda, creating a buzz that extended well beyond the golf community. The general public, as well as basketball and golf fans, were enthralled. From her golf swings to her interactions with fans, media outlets such as Bleacher Report and Sports Center followed her every step of the way. The LPGA made the most of every moment by showcasing not only Clark but also their top players to a hugely expanded audience. It was a win-win situation. Clark’s home league, the WNBA, remained puzzlingly silent throughout this entire period. They did not formally acknowledge their biggest star’s successful crossover, nor did they tweet or post about it.
This obvious omission was not overlooked. After being frustrated throughout the season, fans quickly cited this as the conclusive evidence that the WNBA is not making the most of its generational star. The perception that the league was “hesitant” to fully embrace Clark’s stardom has persisted throughout her historic rookie season. Even though Clark was the obvious main attraction, both fans and pundits said the WNBA was making too much effort to “share the spotlight.” Many believe that a huge opportunity was lost because of the fear of over-promoting one player, possibly to prevent overshadowing others or inciting animosity.
That timid strategy was completely outclassed by the LPGA Pro-Am. The opposing league had no qualms about making Clark the star. They realized that her presence raised awareness of their sport as a whole, not just of her, and they created a win-win situation by accepting that. Suddenly, fans who had never followed women’s golf were paying attention. Sales of merchandise reportedly increased. Activity on social media skyrocketed. After thrilling players and fans last year, Caitlin Clark is scheduled to play again in the Annika pro-am | Golf News and Tour Information
It was a sharp contrast. The LPGA was able to fully control the narrative as the WNBA’s silence grew louder by the day. Social media users started contrasting the two leagues, and the WNBA did not fare well. In the words of one analyst, “The WNBA acted as though Caitlyn’s success was an afterthought, while the LPGA treated her like the superstar she is.” They must honor their stars rather than minimize them if they hope to grow the league.
This goes beyond a single incident. It has to do with a basic distinction in marketing philosophy. The LPGA’s success with Clark was based on “crafting a moment,” not just her notoriety. They enhanced her rather than diminished their own star by matching her with Nelly Korda. They introduced golf to basketball fans and used Clark’s charisma to enthrall golf fans. This crossover appeal demonstrates that women’s sports have a sizable, unexplored market—but only if leagues are prepared to take advantage of it. Caitlin Clark has demonstrated that her celebrity status can improve women’s athletics overall and go beyond individual sports.
The WNBA is currently at a turning point. It has two options: either it adopts the LPGA’s masterclass and starts to celebrate its unique, supernova-level star, or it keeps using its “old marketing models” and runs the risk of falling behind. Clark, for her part, seemed unconcerned by the controversy as she interacted with fans, signed autographs, and solidified her reputation as a likeable and lucrative celebrity. Her sincerity was evident, and the LPGA judiciously highlighted those moments across all of its platforms. Complete Highlights of Caitlin Clark’s performance at the Annika pro-am | Golf Channel The WNBA now has the initiative. They were just shown the playbook by the LPGA. Are they at last prepared to use it?
