On Friday night, WNBA fans found themselves in a state of frustration and disappointment as the league neglected to broadcast the much-anticipated league debuts of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso during a preseason matchup between the Chicago Sky and the Minnesota Lynx. This decision was made even more perplexing by the fact that the league opted to stream Caitlin Clark’s debut game for the Indiana Fever against the Dallas Wings instead.

With the absence of Reese and Cardoso’s games on the league pass, fans resorted to seeking alternative methods to catch a glimpse of their inaugural professional appearances. One such avenue was a live stream on X, which garnered a peak viewership of approximately 260,000 and endured for nearly two hours.

The lack of visibility for Reese and Cardoso’s debuts on the league’s official platforms sparked a wave of frustration on social media, with many fans directing their ire towards the WNBA for what they perceived as a failure to adequately prepare for and showcase such significant moments. Critics questioned the league’s decision-making process and lamented its apparent oversight in recognizing the importance of broadcasting both contests, particularly given Reese and Cardoso’s status as highly touted rookies and Teresa Weatherspoon’s debut as a head coach.

Social media platforms were inundated with messages from disgruntled fans, with some expressing disappointment in the league’s handling of the situation and others raising concerns about broader organizational issues within the WNBA. Some even went so far as to suggest that the league’s missteps were symptomatic of systemic issues that have persisted over the years.

In the midst of the backlash, supporters of Reese and Cardoso voiced their frustration with the WNBA’s lack of prioritization of visibility for two promising young Black women in a league predominantly comprised of Black athletes.

The decision to prioritize streaming Clark’s game on the league’s homepage while neglecting to provide coverage of the Lynx-Sky matchup left many scratching their heads and drew criticism from those who felt that Reese and Cardoso deserved equal recognition and exposure.

With no official explanation provided for the decision not to stream the Chicago-Minnesota game, confusion lingered among fans, underscoring the need for greater transparency and communication from the league.

Despite the absence of televised coverage, the Lynx emerged triumphant with a 92-81 victory over the Sky. Reese, who earned a starting spot in the game, showcased her talent with an impressive 13-point performance, while Cardoso made a notable impact off the bench with six points.

As the WNBA prepares to usher in a new era with a influx of young, marketable stars, the handling of such high-profile events underscores the importance of equitable representation and strategic decision-making to capitalize on the league’s burgeoning popularity and ensure the continued growth and success of women’s basketball at the professional level.