Earlier this month, the WNBA achieved a rare feat. As per Front Office Sports, the league broke “its all-time regular season attendance record—with a month still left in the season. Over 2.3 million fans have attended WNBA games this season”. Unfortunately, a feat that was meant for celebration soon turned into a hotbed for controversy. The issue was simple: The publication using Paige Bueckers’ photo to make the announcement, instead of Caitlin Clark or any of her teammates, despite their contribution to viewership numbers. While it’s expected that fans would certainly notice it, what took the cake was also NBA icon Draymond Green’s reaction to the same. But does his argument hold? Let’s look at what insiders have to say…

On August 28, social media influencer and WNBA enthusiast Rachel DeMita took to her namesake YouTube channel to address the situation. “The highest attendance of any team in the 2025 season is the Indiana Fever, totaling 577,979 fans. And then a close second is the Golden State Valkyries…When we’re looking at attendance, [for] Indiana Fever, for a lot of their away games, the other teams have changed arenas to accommodate the amount of fans that the Indiana Fever brings in. Now, the Golden State Valkyries are a team who have routinely sold out their home arenas, but they are not forcing other teams to move arenas when they go on the road…[Indiana is] playing in arenas that are at a minimum of 10,000, up to 20,000. Now, if you go down here, Dallas is the fifth most attended team with 329,000,” she mentioned. And that’s also the point Green made.

Sharing an image from ESPN, which also used the 2025 Rookie of the Year’s photo, Green questioned, “So I just came acrosss this post on ESPNW IG… and I found the picture interesting. Is there is a shift happening?” To this, another user responded, “Yes, people are following the league day to day now and it’s turning into attendance gains. I’d also be very curious how the Valkyries attendance data is impacting this number.” Green then clarified himself and asked again, “I’m speaking more about Paige. They spoke of all time attendance and showed Paige, who plays for Dallas but doesn’t have top 3 in attendance. Is Paige quickly becoming the face of the W?” And it doesn’t end there.

When a fan replied, referring to Bueckers’ 44-point game vs the Los Angeles Sparks, “They likely used her image because she’s coming off a big game. Although that doesn’t mean she won’t be the face of the W at one point. The title I feel is still up for grabs and has felt like it’s flip flopped a few times even this season.” It is then that the Golden State Warriors veteran delivered the final blow: “If Lexie Hull had 44, they would’ve used her pick? She’s very good btw…” DeMita also agreed with the NBA player.

“I thought it was funny because Draymond had a point, and he went in a very roundabout way of saying it like, ‘Why are you using Paige? Why not use somebody from the Valkyries? Why not use somebody from the Indiana Fever? I mean, you could use a Kelsey Mitchell photo. If you’re going by how well they’ve played and also attendance, Kelsey Mitchell should be the photo that they use.'” And boy, was she right!

Mitchell has been the Fever’s heartbeat in Clark’s absence. The seven-year veteran is averaging 20.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.8 rebounds, ranking among the league’s top scorers. She hasn’t just filled the void, she’s kept Indiana Fever competitive during one of the roughest stretches in franchise history. But her value extends beyond the hardwood. According to Spotrac, Mitchell is Indiana’s highest-paid player and the league’s second-highest earning athlete. Under the ongoing one-year contract, Mitchell earns $249,244 this season leading in base salary, whereas Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young has the highest two-year contract, averaging $252,450 per season.

Besides, her paycheck reflects her worth, even if the spotlight doesn’t. This is the irony. Despite being the WNBA’s attendance leaders, fueled by Clark’s gravitational pull and Mitchell’s steady brilliance, Indiana Fever were completely overlooked in favor of Bueckers, whose Dallas Wings finished fifth in attendance with just 329,000 fans. While ESPN’s choice may have been symbolic, but the numbers tell a different story. Without the Fever Indiana and the Valkyries, there would be no record to celebrate. And though Paige Bueckers may emerge as the league’s dazzling future, Mitchell and Clark are the driving forces that command fan attention, literally.

Kelsey Mitchell breaks Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever record

Kelsey Mitchell broke another record on Tuesday night against the Seattle Storm.  With just 7:27 minutes into the first quarter, the veteran attempted a 24-foot jumper against the opponents. While the basket was successful, so was Mitchell’s current score in the franchise. The perfect bucket broke the franchise record of 769 points, that Clark held during her rookie season. Having said that, Mitchell started with 767 points this season and has since worked relentlessly till she finally became the Indiana Fever’s lead scorer.

As Indiana Fever veteran, Mitchell has stepped up in Clark’s average. Not only has she been racking up numbers for the Fever, she has been silently dictating on the floor like leader and setting the team’s pace each time they hit the paint. But while she has been clinching personal accomplishments, the Fever has been largely struggling. As the sixth standing team in the league so far, Fever has only managed to win three out of nine games recently. With Clark on the sidelines and majority of the locker room dealing with injuries, the front office signed hardship contracts to ensure a smooth playoff run.

But the team’s chances of survival look bleak as the playoff road gets narrower by the day.