In a jaw-dropping segment on The Herd, sports commentator Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back when reacting to the WNBA’s viewership and momentum suddenly dropping — and he laid the blame on one glaring absence:

“Caitlin Clark goes down, and the entire league feels it — worse than when Michael Jordan left the NBA in ’93.”

Yes, you read that right.

Cowherd, known for his bold takes, argued that Clark’s brief absence due to injury or rest had a bigger impact on the WNBA’s national buzz than Jordan’s first retirement had on the NBA. While the comparison is controversial, the numbers — and the reaction — may just back him up.

The Drop-Off Is Real

Before her injury scare, Caitlin Clark had become the centerpiece of a massive WNBA surge:

National TV ratings up over 300% in games she played

Indiana Fever road games selling out in multiple cities

Record-breaking merchandise sales

A new audience of millions of NCAA fans following her into the pros

But after Clark was briefly sidelined and saw limited minutes in subsequent games, the energy changed.

Cowherd pointed to recent TV ratings and social media engagement:

“The moment Caitlin Clark’s name isn’t in the headline or on the floor, people tune out. She’s the economy of the WNBA right now.”

Is This Really Bigger Than Jordan?

Cowherd explained the bold comparison:

“When Jordan left the Bulls to play baseball, the NBA had Shaq, Hakeem, Ewing, Barkley, Reggie Miller — the league stayed afloat. It dipped, but it survived.

The WNBA? Take Caitlin Clark out for a couple games, and suddenly… crickets.”

He emphasized that the WNBA’s infrastructure isn’t strong enough yet to lose its biggest star, even temporarily.

“She’s the ratings. She’s the merch. She’s the reason people are watching. Right now, she’s holding up the tent.”

Is That Fair to Other WNBA Stars?

Cowherd’s remarks didn’t sit well with everyone. Critics say he’s discrediting the efforts of established veterans like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu, who’ve carried the league long before Clark arrived.

But Cowherd pushed back:

“Those players are great — no disrespect. But greatness doesn’t always move the needle. Caitlin does. And the numbers prove it.”

Even some WNBA fans reluctantly agreed, noting how media coverage, viral clips, and ticket demand have cooled without Clark in the spotlight.

Clark’s Return = WNBA Resurrection?

With Clark set to return fully healthy and back in the rotation, Cowherd predicts a “whiplash effect” in ratings:

“Watch how fast the numbers spike again the second she drops 25 and dishes out 10 assists on national TV. Watch how fast the crowd shows up again.”

He also called on the league to protect and promote her better, referencing the rough treatment she’s received from defenders in recent weeks:

“You don’t let your golden goose get hammered in the paint every night and call that ‘growing the game.’ You market her. You support her. You build around her.”

Final Thoughts: Caitlin Clark Is the Engine

Whether or not you agree with the Jordan comparison, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s most powerful draw, and her absence — however brief — reveals just how much the league depends on her.

Colin Cowherd’s segment might ruffle feathers, but his central point lands hard:

“If the WNBA wants to keep rising, it better make sure Caitlin Clark is on that floor — because when she’s not, people aren’t watching.”

And that’s the uncomfortable truth no one in the league office can ignore.