There are many investors in this league, but one investor in particular has been trying to stay quiet about his involvement ever since his controversial comments about a young rookie put him in the headlines for over a month. That investor is Geno Auriemma.

Remember when Geno Auriemma claimed Caitlin Clark wouldn’t be able to cut it in the WNBA? Well, karma has a wicked sense of humor. The self-proclaimed basketball guru is now watching his investment in Unrivaled crumble like a house of cards. And ironically, the very player he dismissed could be the one to save it—except she’s not playing.

Clark was ranked third or fourth in the betting odds to win WNBA MVP, which many saw as a major slight to veteran players. But as it turns out, Clark is proving her doubters wrong with every record-breaking performance in the WNBA. Meanwhile, Auriemma’s investment is turning into a financial nightmare, with ratings plummeting and losses stacking up.

 

 

Last Friday’s ratings update for Unrivaled was, as expected, disastrous. The league’s viewership has dropped to half of what it was in its debut week. Auriemma, riding high on his college coaching success, believed he could replicate his magic touch with this new women’s basketball league. But here’s the catch—the league’s entire success hinges on star power, and its biggest potential draw, Caitlin Clark, isn’t interested.

Let’s not forget Angel Reese also claimed she was a major draw, but the reality is clear: the hottest name in women’s basketball isn’t playing in Unrivaled, and ratings have fallen below 100,000 viewers. Auriemma is likely pacing his office, watching viewership numbers collapse from 300,000 to barely 100,000. That’s the equivalent of going from playing at Madison Square Garden to a local YMCA.

Not only is Auriemma feeling the heat, but other investors are also starting to panic. This isn’t just his problem anymore—it’s a full-blown financial disaster. The league’s business model, which looked promising on paper, is now collapsing like a house of cards in a hurricane. The league reportedly offered Clark a million dollars to play—a sum nearly three times what most players are getting—but even that wasn’t enough. Now, analysts suggest they’d have to offer her at least $10 million to get her on board. Without Clark, turning a profit seems impossible.

Did Auriemma really think he could build a successful league without Caitlin Clark? That’s like making a blockbuster movie without an A-list star. Sure, you might have a great script, but who’s going to buy tickets?

Clark, for her part, saw the bigger picture. Despite being offered a seven-figure deal for just an eight-week season, she declined. She knew her value and where she wanted to make her mark: in the WNBA. Without Clark, Unrivaled’s ratings won’t improve, meaning advertisers won’t invest. Auriemma’s investment is now riskier than a half-court shot at the buzzer.

Imagine Auriemma watching Clark dominate the WNBA, knowing she could have been the savior of Unrivaled. That has to sting, especially considering his past criticism of her. And let’s talk about numbers—how much did Auriemma sink into this venture? The kind of money that could have bought a small island or funded multiple college scholarships. Now, he might be regretting his past comments about Clark.

His underestimation of Clark and her impact on women’s basketball has come back to haunt him. He and the other Unrivaled investors believed they could throw money at the problem and create a successful league overnight. They underestimated the importance of true star power and overestimated their ability to attract top talent. The reality? Unrivaled isn’t just “unrivaled”—it’s also unwatched.

Clark’s decision to decline Unrivaled’s offer wasn’t just about money—it was about principle. She has endured constant underestimation, and now, when those same doubters need her, she’s choosing to focus on her WNBA career. Angel Reese may be playing in Unrivaled, but let’s be honest: no one wants to watch a 6’6″ player consistently miss layups.

Auriemma’s previous comments about Clark’s inability to handle the WNBA’s physicality haven’t aged well. Fast forward to her rookie season, and Clark is not only surviving but thriving—averaging 19.2 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. She’s breaking records left and right and proving she belongs among the elite.

Clark’s dominance has made her team, the Indiana Fever, must-see TV. Her games are drawing record-breaking audiences, and merchandise sales are soaring. She’s not just playing basketball—she’s elevating the sport itself. Analysts are comparing her impact to that of a cultural icon, and every time she steps on the court, she makes a statement far beyond the final score.