Geno Auriemma FURIOUS as Paige Bueckers’ WNBA Draft Ratings CRASH Without Caitlin Clark

It was supposed to be the next big moment in women’s basketball. The 2025 WNBA Draft, headlined by UConn’s golden girl Paige Bueckers, was hyped by ESPN as a potential ratings bonanza. But when the numbers finally dropped, the truth became impossible to ignore: without Caitlin Clark, the magic was gone.

The broadcast peaked at 1.46 million viewers—a solid number by WNBA standards, but a staggering 49% drop from last year’s historic draft, which drew 2.6 million thanks to Clark’s headline-making selection at No. 1. It wasn’t just a dip. It was a freefall. And nobody seemed more rattled than UConn’s iconic head coach, Geno Auriemma.

From Dynasty to Disappointment

For years, Auriemma has commanded the women’s college basketball narrative. He’s produced champions, Olympic athletes, and WNBA stars. But lately, his commentary on Caitlin Clark has veered into uncomfortable territory. Whether downplaying her achievements or mocking her supporters, Geno has sounded less like a legend—and more like a man losing control of a sport he once dominated.

He’s questioned Clark’s fanbase, criticized her media attention, and even called the buzz around her MVP odds “stupid.” Now, with Paige Bueckers—his prized pupil—stepping into the spotlight and drawing half the audience Clark did, Auriemma finds himself facing a harsh reality: Caitlin Clark isn’t just a generational player. She’s a generational draw.

A Manufactured Rivalry

Media outlets have spent months pushing the idea that Bueckers is Clark’s equal. ESPN has aired glowing segments. Analysts have praised Paige’s poise, leadership, and UConn pedigree. But viewers aren’t buying it. And the ratings prove it.

Let’s be clear: Paige Bueckers is talented. She’s battled back from injury, led her team deep into tournaments, and earned the respect of coaches and fans. But star power—the kind that electrifies broadcasts and creates headlines? That belongs to Caitlin Clark.

Clark didn’t just bring eyes to women’s basketball. She brought millions. She made regular season games feel like Final Fours. She shattered NCAA scoring records and turned arenas into must-watch television. Her impact can’t be replicated through branding. It can’t be manufactured in a studio. It’s real—and the public knows it.

The Glaring Double Standard

What’s even more revealing is the media’s contrasting treatment of Clark and Bueckers. Clark’s every move is scrutinized. Her facial expressions, her confidence, her style of play—it’s all picked apart. Meanwhile, Paige is celebrated no matter what.

During the draft, media narratives were overflowing with praise for Bueckers. But behind the polished clips and glowing headlines was a brutal truth: half the audience had tuned out.

Even ESPN insiders reportedly acknowledged the drop as a wake-up call. The attempt to replace Clark with a familiar UConn name had failed. Viewers weren’t just there for women’s basketball. They were there for Caitlin Clark.

Geno’s Growing Frustration

Those close to UConn’s program say Auriemma has been increasingly vocal behind the scenes. While he remains a legend, his public remarks about Clark have grown sharper. He’s accused her fans of being “delusional” and accused the media of creating unfair expectations. But now, as Clark’s legacy continues to rise and Paige’s debut falls short of that meteoric standard, Geno’s critiques are beginning to look like projection.

And fans are noticing. Social media lit up with side-by-side comparisons of the 2024 and 2025 drafts. “No Caitlin, no ratings,” read one viral post. Another: “They tried to replace the sun with a flashlight.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Clark averaged 31.6 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.4 rebounds in her final season at Iowa. She led the NCAA in scoring and assists—something no male or female player has ever done in a single season. Her impact extended beyond stats. She filled arenas, broke TV records, and made the WNBA’s most-watched season in history possible.

Paige Bueckers, by contrast, posted strong but modest numbers: 21.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds. Impressive, but not historic. Solid, but not transcendent. And fans can tell the difference.

The WNBA’s Mistake

In trying to engineer a smooth transition from Clark to Bueckers as the face of the league, the WNBA and its media partners may have made a critical misstep. Instead of celebrating both women’s unique talents, they’ve fueled an unnecessary rivalry—one that’s only made the drop-off in interest more glaring.

The energy at this year’s draft? Awkward. Interviews fell flat. Production lacked the shine of 2024. It felt like a sequel nobody asked for.

The Media’s Racial Narrative

Some media critics have even suggested that race plays a role in how these two athletes are treated. Clark, a white athlete with an aggressive playing style, is often dissected and criticized. Bueckers, also white, receives softer treatment—even when her numbers underwhelm.

The result is confusion—and growing fan skepticism. Why is one player endlessly scrutinized, while the other is gently promoted as the league’s next star?

The answer may lie in control. Clark, unapologetically confident, doesn’t fit neatly into the league’s preferred mold. Bueckers, by contrast, is more media-friendly, more deferential, and more predictable.

But fans don’t want scripted stars. They want authenticity. And Clark has it in spades.

Looking Ahead

As the season kicks off, the gap between these two narratives will only grow. Clark remains the top jersey seller, the highest-rated TV draw, and the face of women’s basketball in America.

Paige Bueckers may become a great pro. She may win titles and earn accolades. But this draft proved one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt: Caitlin Clark is the standard.