In every major sports league, generational talents rise to reshape the game, transforming both the sport itself and everyone around them. For example, Michael Phelps revolutionized swimming, Muhammad Ali became a boxing legend, Babe Ruth changed baseball, and Serena Williams dominated tennis. These figures transcend their sports and elevate them to new heights. Similarly, when the NBA was struggling in its early days, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson revived it, and Michael Jordan’s presence transformed the league into a global powerhouse. These athletes are not just good players; they are the ones who define their generation and lead their leagues to new levels of popularity and success.

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has faced ongoing challenges for decades, often seen as a league in disarray. Despite numerous efforts to build viewership and financial stability, the league has struggled to turn a profit, losing millions year after year. But just when things looked bleak, Caitlin Clark emerged, seemingly the savior the WNBA had been waiting for. Clark’s arrival injected new energy and excitement into the sport, captivating both die-hard basketball fans and casual viewers alike.

Caitlin Clark’s rise to stardom is nothing short of remarkable. Her performance on the court is something fans and analysts alike have never seen before in women’s basketball. Her deep shooting range, playmaking ability, and sheer competitiveness have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in the NBA. Clark isn’t just a star; she’s a phenomenon, with the potential to transform the WNBA in the same way Bird, Johnson, and Jordan transformed the NBA.

But instead of fully embracing and promoting Clark as the league’s new face, the WNBA appears to be fumbling its golden opportunity. Much like how athletes in the NBA, such as Dennis Schroder or Nerlens Noel, turned down massive contracts only to regret it later, the WNBA seems to be at risk of squandering its chance to capitalize on the unprecedented attention Clark has brought to the league.

In what has been a confusing and frustrating series of events, the WNBA has failed to properly recognize Clark’s contributions to the game. Despite being the league’s biggest star, it took nearly two weeks after the regular season ended for Clark to be officially named the WNBA Rookie of the Year — an award that was far from a surprise given her dominance over her peers. What was more baffling, however, was the fact that Clark didn’t receive a unanimous vote. One lone voter cast their ballot for another player, Angel Reese, despite the overwhelming statistical and on-court evidence that Clark was in a league of her own.

This decision sparked outrage among fans and analysts, who pointed out that Clark outperformed Reese in almost every measurable category. Clark’s team had a better record, she won head-to-head matchups, and she dominated in points, assists, shooting percentages, and almost every other major statistical area. The only category where Reese had an edge was in rebounding, but even that was skewed by the fact that she often rebounded her own missed shots.

The WNBA’s decision to deny Clark a unanimous Rookie of the Year vote feels like a slap in the face not only to her but also to the league’s fans. It seems to reflect deeper issues within the WNBA, where jealousy and pettiness sometimes overshadow what’s best for the game. In this case, rather than elevating Clark as the league’s new star, the WNBA seems to be diminishing her accomplishments, which could have serious repercussions.

If the WNBA continues down this path, there’s a real possibility that Clark could walk away from the league altogether. In recent years, several top players have left the WNBA to play overseas, where they can earn higher salaries and face fewer off-court distractions. Players like Gabby Williams and Elizabeth Cambage have chosen to pursue careers in Europe, and if Clark decided to follow a similar path, the WNBA could lose its most valuable asset.

The reality is, Caitlin Clark doesn’t need the WNBA as much as the WNBA needs her. Her presence alone has already boosted the league’s viewership to unprecedented levels. Her first playoff series garnered 1.8 million viewers in Game 1 and 2.1 million in Game 2 — numbers that surpass the viewership of any WNBA Finals series in history. Clark has the ability to attract new fans to women’s basketball, and the WNBA should be doing everything in its power to support her, not undermine her.

Yet, instead of protecting and promoting Clark, the league has allowed her to be the target of on-court cheap shots and off-court criticism, while refusing to address the issues head-on. At a time when the WNBA should be rallying behind its brightest star, it feels like they are pushing her away.

The WNBA is at a crossroads. Caitlin Clark represents the future of the league, and losing her would be a catastrophic setback. If the WNBA cannot recognize and properly appreciate the generational talent they have in Clark, they risk squandering the best opportunity they’ve had in decades to grow their brand and build a sustainable future. It’s time for the WNBA to take a long, hard look at how they treat their players, especially those with the power to elevate the entire league.

In business, when you have a golden egg, you guard it with everything you have. The WNBA should treat Caitlin Clark like the golden egg she is — because if they don’t, they may never recover from the loss.