In May, USA Today ran a headline that felt like a punch in the gut for a league just starting to find its footing: “WNBA Without Caitlin Clark: League Feels Hurt.” It was a classic “woe is me” narrative, painting a picture of a league on life support without its new superstar. The assumption was simple and, frankly, lazy: Clark brought the eyeballs, and if she’s not on the court, the whole house of cards collapses.

Well, as it turns out, that headline has curdled like a forgotten carton of milk.

We all know the story of last season. Caitlin Clark exploded onto the scene, bringing with her a viewership wave the WNBA had only dreamed of in its first 27 years. Ratings soared. Ticket prices went through the roof. It was a cultural moment, driven by one of the most compelling athletes in recent memory.

But this season? A different story. Clark has been sidelined for a significant chunk of games. Other marquee names—Breanna Stewart, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier—have also missed time. If the old narrative held true, the league should be in a freefall. The buzz should be gone.

Except it’s not. It’s the exact opposite.

Ratings are up, again. Games on ESPN are seeing viewership increases, and ABC broadcasts are up a whopping 17% over last season. Attendance is strong, bolstered by the expansion Golden State Valkyries, who are selling out every home game and averaging over 18,000 fans.

This is the punchline. The WNBA is not just surviving without its biggest star; it’s thriving.

And that’s the most important sign for the long-term health of the game. Clark was the lightning rod, the catalyst the league needed to get people to tune in. She brought new fans to the party, but here’s the key: those fans didn’t just come for her. They came for the product. And they liked what they saw. They saw players like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd. They saw high-level, competitive basketball. They saw rivalries that run deeper than one-off headlines.

The WNBA did what a smart league does. It capitalized on the moment. It showcased its depth, its talent, and the gritty, compelling nature of its game. The growth no longer feels like a temporary phase, a viral moment that will fade with the next news cycle. It feels real. The league is bigger than any single player, and that’s the clearest sign that women’s basketball has finally reached the next level.