Candace Parker Slams Networks for Women's Sports for Being 'Buried for So Long'

Mar. 15, 2025

Candace Parker on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’.Photo:Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty

Candace Parkerpointed out a forgotten aspect of the WNBA’s recent surge in viewership.Parker, 38, sat down for an interview on the Bloomberg Original podcastThe Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly,released on Wednesday, Nov. 6. During her conversation, the retired WNBA star slammed networks' prior indifference to the league before its current popularity boom.“The first time they put the Women’s NCAA game on ABC was the first year thatCaitlin Clarkmade the championship game,” Parker said, adding, “Are you surprised that the viewership was up? Are you surprised that people actually saw the product? It was buried for so long on ESPN.“From Left: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on April, 2, 2023.Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via GettyThe WNBA saw its best viewership numbers of all time this season with the introduction of Clark, 22, and other popular newcomers, likeAngel ReeseandCameron Brink. The 2024 season was the league’s most-viewed ever, the organization announced on Oct. 25, growing 170% from 2023.There were 32 WNBA telecasts this season that averaged more than one million viewers each, and the league’s Oct. 25 release noted that 22 of those were on ESPN platforms.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.But even when Clark, Reese and Brink weren’t playing — Brink sat out most of the season aftertearing her ACLin June — the league saw more eyes than previous years. The 2024 Finals, between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, was the most-viewed championship round in 25 years, growing 115% from last year.From Left: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on July 20, 2024.Juan Ocampo/NBAE via GettyParker also noted that the WNBA could do more to put its telecasts in a better position to see high ratings, namely working around other leagues' schedules. “The NBA doesn’t want to clash with NFL playoffs or NFL opening week. So why would we then put the WNBA? I don’t care if that’s the time slot that they’re giving you. Let’s fight for another one or let’s find something else,” she said on the podcast.Parker, a WNBA legend,announced her retirementfrom basketball on April 28. She’s the first WNBA player to win three championships with three different teams. She won her first ring with the Sparks in 2016. After that, she went to play in her hometown of Chicago, leading the Chicago Sky to a title in 2021 before joining the Las Vegas Aces for a 2023 championship win.

Candace Parkerpointed out a forgotten aspect of the WNBA’s recent surge in viewership.

Parker, 38, sat down for an interview on the Bloomberg Original podcastThe Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly,released on Wednesday, Nov. 6. During her conversation, the retired WNBA star slammed networks' prior indifference to the league before its current popularity boom.

“The first time they put the Women’s NCAA game on ABC was the first year thatCaitlin Clarkmade the championship game,” Parker said, adding, “Are you surprised that the viewership was up? Are you surprised that people actually saw the product? It was buried for so long on ESPN.”

From Left: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on April, 2, 2023.Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via Getty

Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated via Getty

The WNBA saw its best viewership numbers of all time this season with the introduction of Clark, 22, and other popular newcomers, likeAngel ReeseandCameron Brink. The 2024 season was the league’s most-viewed ever, the organization announced on Oct. 25, growing 170% from 2023.

There were 32 WNBA telecasts this season that averaged more than one million viewers each, and the league’s Oct. 25 release noted that 22 of those were on ESPN platforms.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

But even when Clark, Reese and Brink weren’t playing — Brink sat out most of the season aftertearing her ACLin June — the league saw more eyes than previous years. The 2024 Finals, between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty, was the most-viewed championship round in 25 years, growing 115% from last year.

From Left: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese on July 20, 2024.Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty

Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty

Parker also noted that the WNBA could do more to put its telecasts in a better position to see high ratings, namely working around other leagues' schedules. “The NBA doesn’t want to clash with NFL playoffs or NFL opening week. So why would we then put the WNBA? I don’t care if that’s the time slot that they’re giving you. Let’s fight for another one or let’s find something else,” she said on the podcast.

Parker, a WNBA legend,announced her retirementfrom basketball on April 28. She’s the first WNBA player to win three championships with three different teams. She won her first ring with the Sparks in 2016. After that, she went to play in her hometown of Chicago, leading the Chicago Sky to a title in 2021 before joining the Las Vegas Aces for a 2023 championship win.

source: people.com