In the pulsating world of sports, it’s not just the thrill of competition that keeps people glued to their screens. Sometimes, it’s the drama, the controversies, and yes, the unfortunate plummeting of good taste that reels them in. Recently, a certain superstar in the WNBA has been lighting up the court and people’s television sets—but not without some peculiar, if not downright embarrassing, sideshows.

Let’s take a page from the rise of Caitlin Clark, whose phenomenal talent and on-court prowess have pulled the WNBA out of a relative spotlight drought. Ratings have shot up, and suddenly, everyone seems interested in a league that often struggles for attention and attendance. But, as with all things in today’s world of sensationalism, the focus isn’t solely on talent. Spectators (if we can call them that) have taken to throwing inappropriate items onto the court, adding a bizarre twist to what should be a celebration of athletic excellence.

One might wonder what kind of fan brings a side show of grown-up antics to a basketball game. We all love a good joke, but when the punchline disrupts the game and distracts young fans from genuine role models, one has to laugh—or maybe cringe—a little differently. The idea that this behavior somehow contributes to revitalizing interest in the league is as laughable as it is cringe-worthy.

Meanwhile, in the chatrooms of conservative commentary, the real question arises: Has the WNBA mishandled this situation? They’ve seen increased interest, but not necessarily for the reasons they might have hoped. With a dash of hyperbole, one could compare this to having a car that only works because someone thought it amusing to put a donkey in the driver’s seat. It moves, sure, but in the wrong direction. Rather than uniting the fans around a shared appreciation for the game, the league has found itself in a quagmire, stuck in disputes that bear no semblance to sportsmanship.

This whole debacle underscores the league’s persistent identity crisis: balancing competition with the spectacle, fostering unity over divisiveness. Without a doubt, Caitlin Clark has brought immense value—not just with ticket sales and viewer numbers, but in cultural currency. However, the accompanying circus is less about competition and more akin to a reality TV show lacking any sense of reality. The WNBA needs to sow seeds of genuine unity and respect on and off the court if it ever hopes to grow into a sustainable success. Otherwise, they might find their newfound attention as fickle as the fans who can’t seem to differentiate a basketball game from a comedy routine. And the punchline, folks, may very well be on them.