As the WNBA season tips off tonight, the conversation around the league isn’t just about basketball — it’s about culture clashes, generational shifts, and one very loud reality check. Sports media heavyweights Colin Cowherd and Dan Dakich have entered the chat — and they’re not holding back.

Their message to the WNBA “old guard”?
Adapt. Accept. Or get left behind.

 “Gatekeeping Is Killing the Growth” — Colin Cowherd

On his show, Colin Cowherd addressed the growing tension between veteran WNBA players and incoming rookies, particularly the media circus and league attention surrounding stars like Caitlin Clark. Some older players have criticized the hype, downplayed her impact, and suggested she “hasn’t earned anything yet.”

But Cowherd wasn’t having it.

“You can’t grow the league while hating the reason it’s growing.”
— Colin Cowherd, live on air

He pointed out the massive ratings spike, sold-out arenas, and corporate endorsements that have followed Caitlin Clark since entering the league — facts that, he argued, prove her undeniable value to the WNBA, regardless of seniority.

“The NBA welcomed Jordan. The NFL embraced Mahomes. Why is the WNBA resisting Caitlin Clark? You’re not gatekeepers — you’re teammates.”

 Dan Dakich: “This Jealousy Is Embarrassing”

Former coach and outspoken analyst Dan Dakich took things a step further, blasting what he called a “toxic culture of bitterness” among some longtime WNBA players.

“Let me be blunt. Some of these WNBA veterans are more concerned with clout than championships.”
— Dan Dakich on his podcast

Dakich called out the hypocrisy of players who complain about low pay, limited media coverage, and lack of investment — only to attack the one player who is actively bringing all of that into the league.

“You can’t beg for attention and then resent the person who brings it.”

He added that if the WNBA doesn’t embrace its new stars, especially players with massive college followings like Clark, Angel Reese, and JuJu Watkins, the league risks “cannibalizing itself from within.”

 A Bigger Issue: Respect vs. Resentment

The debate sparked by Cowherd and Dakich isn’t just about one player — it’s about a culture shift. The WNBA is evolving, whether the old guard is ready or not.

There is a valid case to be made about earning respect, paying dues, and upholding league history. But fans — especially new ones — aren’t tuning in for drama. They want to see greatness, regardless of age or résumé.

Veteran players like Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, and Sue Bird helped build the WNBA foundation. But the future now lies in the hands of a younger generation — one that is bringing massive mainstream attention to the game.

 Facts Don’t Lie

Colin and Dan brought receipts:

Caitlin Clark’s preseason debut had higher viewership than some NBA games.

The Indiana Fever’s season opener sold out — something that hadn’t happened in years.

Her jersey is already among the best-selling in all of pro basketball.

New partnerships and sponsors are flooding into the WNBA for the first time in decades.

“If this is what ‘overhyped’ looks like, give me more hype.”

 Season Starts Tonight — With the Spotlight on the Future

As the WNBA returns tonight, all eyes are on the rookies, the media narrative, and whether the league can embrace its own evolution. The question isn’t whether Caitlin Clark and her peers deserve the attention — the numbers say they do.

The real question is:
Will the league’s veterans and voices accept the future — or fight it?

The season starts now. And the message from Cowherd and Dakich is clear: the WNBA can’t afford to eat its young — not when the future is finally here.