Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Colin Cowherd sends warning to WNBA players amid Caitlin Clark's injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 12:17 AM ET

According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, WNBA TV ratings are down more than 50% since Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark suffered a left quad injury.

Clark hasn't played since May 24 against the New York Liberty.

Per Zillgitt, nationally televised WNBA viewership is down 55%, and Fever national TV games are down 53% since Clark's injury.

Clark was the first overall pick in last year's WNBA draft. She won the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists.

In four games this season, Clark is averaging 19.0 points, 6 rebounds and 9.3 assists while shooting 31.4% from beyond the arc.

On Thursday, Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd issued a warning to WNBA players, saying they should be nice to Clark since the numbers show how important she is to the league.

"Be nice, WNBA players, to the lady that currently has her leg up because she’s giving the league a leg up," Cowherd said.

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese said last season that people are watching the WNBA because of her, too.

However, the numbers show that Reese wasn't correct.

Fever head coach Stephanie White told reporters Monday the team will not rush Clark back from her left quad injury. Clark will be reevaluated by team doctors this weekend.

"We're going to be smart, and we're going to be cautious and we're going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally," White said.

The Fever are 4-5 on the season. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Once Clark returns to the court, WNBA TV ratings will likely increase.

Indiana's next game is a home contest against the defending champion New York Liberty at 3 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC. Clark's status for that game has not been announced.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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