Etan Thomas mocked after WNBA playoff attendance falls short of Caitlin Clark games

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Retired NBA player and journalist Etan Thomas attempted to argue on Monday morning that Caitlin Clark's playoff exit would not hurt WNBA attendance or viewership.

The numbers from Game 1 of the Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty semifinals quickly proved him wrong. Thomas posted a sarcastic message on X saying, Nobody will watch the WNBA playoffs now that Caitlin Clark is no longer playing. Support will plummet. Viewership will plunge.

She is the only driving force that brings out fans. He shared a photo from State Farm Arena that appeared to show a large crowd. A closer look at the photo reveals the deception. Above the suites, the entire upper bowl was tarped off.

State Farm Arena holds almost 17,000 fans, but the announced attendance for the game was just 9,745. The arena left more than 7,000 seats empty. One X user broke down the attendance and viewership numbers to show Thomas did not think his post through. The user wrote that when the Atlanta Dream played the Fever in non-playoff action on June 20, 2026, attendance was 17,044.

On August 16, 2026, attendance was again 17,044. The user added that the Dream should have kept their playoff game at Gateway because they more than likely lost money by moving to the bigger venue and leaving 7,000 plus seats empty. Viewership numbers for the playoff game are not out yet, but the user doubted they would come close to the August 16, 2026 Dream vs Fever game at State Farm Arena, which drew 2.6 million viewers on ESPN.

ESPN called that August game the most-watched WNBA game ever on cable. Clark's impact on the league is undeniable. Her jersey sales have outdone LeBron James since 2024. Every single one of the top 15 WNBA broadcasts this season was one of her games.

Every game she has played in has been a sellout. Clark is one of the most popular athletes in America and one of the most influential, transcendent sports figures of all time. Claiming her playoff exit will not affect attendance and viewership is a laughable attempt at devaluing the golden goose. Thomas failed miserably in that attempt.

Other players simply do not drive audiences the same way. Angel Reese has improved her game and become a Defensive Player of the Year. A'ja Wilson continues to dominate the stat sheet and secured her fourth WNBA MVP this season. But they do not sell shoes, tickets, and attract eyeballs for their games like Clark.

The problem with journalists and activists like Thomas is that their minds are so warped by their political worldview that they cannot comprehend this reality. Thomas would do well to delete his post and save himself from further embarrassment when the viewership numbers come out. In the meantime, Clark and her fans will continue to live rent-free in his mind.

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Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Atlanta Dream New York Liberty Wnba Angel Reese Betting WNBA Attendance Etan Thomas

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