Part 5/7:
The Struggle for Respect and Recognition
The quest for respect within the WNBA is seen as misplaced. Rather than commanding respect simply for existing, critics argue that the league needs to focus on improving the quality of its games. Sports fans tend to respect organizations based on their merits—how well they play and entertain, not through a mandate for respect.
In this era, where more eyes are set on the WNBA than ever before, the inconsistency in gameplay combined with the emotional appeals of league supporters creates a fragmented image. The WNBA is viewed as still grappling with foundational issues: it strives to expand but does so at the risk of diluting the quality of its product.