When Cam Newton, the flamboyant former NFL MVP, speaks, you listen—whether you want to or not. On his popular ESPN show, 4th and 1, Newton traded football lingo for a crystal ball, predicting that the WNBA will surpass Major League Baseball in popularity within 20 years. Yes, you read that right. According to Newton, America’s so-called pastime is quickly becoming, well, a pastime.
“Baseball is like a dying sport,” Newton declared with his signature bravado. “I think the WNBA will surpass MLB in 20 years.”
Cue the sound of pearls being clutched from Fenway to Dodger Stadium.
The Meteoric Rise of the WNBA
Now, before MLB fans dismiss Newton’s prediction as another hot take from a former athlete dabbling in sports punditry, let’s look at the receipts. The WNBA is riding a tidal wave of momentum, and much of that can be credited to its rookie sensation, Caitlin Clark.
Clark, the No. 1 pick of the 2024 draft, landed in Indiana like a comet. Her college stardom at Iowa already made her a household name, but her professional debut took things to another level. Her first game alone drew 2.1 million viewers on ESPN—numbers that MLB would gladly take for a regular-season Tuesday night in July.
And that wasn’t all. Clark broke records on and off the court. She turned the Indiana Fever into the league’s hottest ticket, smashing single-season attendance records with over 409,217 fans flocking to see her play in just 25 games. The Fever’s games were less about basketball and more about the Caitlin Clark Experience.
Baseball’s Woes: Analytics, Rob Manfred, and the Pitch Clock Fiasco
Meanwhile, MLB feels like it’s stuck in a sandlot-sized existential crisis. Critics have slammed Commissioner Rob Manfred’s sweeping changes, including the controversial pitch clock and analytics-driven gameplay, which some claim have stripped the soul out of the sport.
And let’s not forget the league’s “let the rich get richer” approach. Teams like the Dodgers have budgets that resemble GDPs of small countries, while others scrounge for scraps. Add a lack of star promotion to the mix, and you have a sport struggling to capture younger audiences.
To make matters worse, baseball’s demographic leans older, and the next generation seems more interested in buzzy, fast-paced sports (or their TikTok feed).
Can the WNBA Really Overtake MLB?
Of course, Newton’s prediction isn’t without its challenges. The WNBA is still a work in progress, with room to grow in areas like salaries and media coverage. But the league has a secret weapon: its rising stars and their ability to connect with fans. Players like Clark aren’t just athletes—they’re brands, capable of turning casual viewers into diehard supporters.
With a 170% surge in viewership in 2024 alone, the WNBA is building something that can’t be ignored. If the league capitalizes on its current trajectory, Newton’s prediction might not seem so outrageous.
The Final Word
Baseball purists might scoff at the idea of their beloved pastime being outpaced by a league many still view as niche. But if Newton’s prediction comes true, the MLB might want to start taking notes from the WNBA on how to stay relevant.
As Newton himself might say, “Baseball better get its swagger back—or risk being benched in the game of cultural relevance.”
