Lisa Leslie has sharply criticized WNBA general managers after Caitlin Clark received only 20% of the vote in the league’s annual survey asking which player executives would start a franchise with. The survey showed Paige Bueckers at 33%, a sharp shift from the previous year, when 50% of GMs picked Clark.
Leslie did not hide her reaction. She said GMs who passed on Clark “are probably gonna get fired,” and added that “this is a money business and the money is about Caitlin Clark.”
Why Leslie pushed back
Leslie’s point centered on Clark’s impact beyond the box score. She argued that Clark has become a major financial driver for the WNBA, helping fuel record attendance, record ratings, merchandise growth, franchise appreciation, a $2.2 billion media deal, and higher expansion fees.
Her argument also reflected the reality that Clark’s draw has changed how teams approach games. Leslie said there has “never in the history of the WNBA” been a player who forced teams to play in larger arenas, underscoring how strongly Clark has influenced the league’s business model.
The Clark-Bueckers comparison
The survey came at a time when Clark and Bueckers were being compared more directly than ever. Clark entered her third season after an injury-plagued sophomore year in which she played only 12 games, while Bueckers followed a strong rookie season that ended with Rookie of the Year honors.
Their head-to-head appeal has become a major talking point for executives and fans alike. In Indiana’s season opener against Dallas, the game drew more than 16,000 fans and sold out the arena, showing the level of attention Clark still brings.
By contrast, the Dallas Wings’ next home game, against Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream, did not sell out the 7,000-seat arena. That gap reinforced Leslie’s view that Clark remains the more valuable franchise anchor from a business standpoint.
What a GM is supposed to consider
Leslie also framed the issue as part of the job description for general managers. She said GMs are expected to build rosters, manage contracts, understand player value, and keep a long-term championship vision while also helping the league bring in revenue.
That balance matters because a franchise decision is not only about talent in isolation. It also involves marketability, ticket sales, and the broader financial health of the team and league.
On-court numbers still favor a debate
The conversation is not only about money and visibility. The article notes that Clark is averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Bueckers is putting up 20.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Bueckers has been more efficient from three and has drawn praise for her defense and lower turnover rate. Even so, the overall argument made by Leslie is that Clark’s total impact remains greater, both on the court and in the league’s business profile.
The reaction to the survey adds another chapter to the ongoing scrutiny around Clark, who has often been at the center of debates about recognition, value, and respect. Leslie’s comments made clear that for some observers, the answer to the franchise question is still obvious: Caitlin Clark remains the player who changes everything.
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