Taking The Layup

How the WNBA let controversy and outrage serve as free promotion

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“There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

In the world of public relations, that might be the closest thing to a golden rule.

Most often attributed to P.T. Barnum, it presents a simple, almost blunt conviction: when it comes to attention, even the wrong kind is preferable to none at all.

There aren’t many modern institutions that embody the meaning of that statement more explicitly than the WNBA.

For close to two decades, the league existed mostly outside the boundaries of mainstream consciousness.

Then something changed.

Suddenly there was buzz— sustained, unavoidable, and loud — but it wasn’t the kind of conversation you’d expect to surround a pro-sports league.

The debates weren’t about GOATs, titles, or dynasties. They were about pay gaps and quality of play; about entertainment value, league subsidies, and long-term viability.

Social media became ground zero, inundated with lowlight reels, counter-commentary, and videos of sparsely attended championship parades.

The negative coverage was overwhelming.