What happened: On his 'Don't @ Me' program for Fox News, Dan Dakich argues that the WNBA is not doing enough to protect the star power fueling its recent surge in attention. He casts the league's most marketable attraction as a 'golden goose' that the WNBA is mishandling.

Why it matters: The WNBA is riding an unprecedented wave of viewership, attendance and cultural relevance, and much of that commercial momentum leans on a small group of marquee names. The criticism holds that if the league mismanages how it treats and promotes its biggest stars, it risks stalling the growth it has spent seasons building.

What to watch: Watch whether WNBA leadership addresses the mounting criticism over how it manages and elevates its highest-profile players as the 2026 regular season plays out.