Part 4/8:
Once, Reese was seen as a potential box office star for the WNBA, but her widespread appeal has not materialized. Despite her recognition, her debut ratings—around 130,000 viewers—are paltry for a so-called star of her caliber. The author argues that the media's push to create stars in women’s basketball has been largely unsuccessful. They point out similar efforts with Caitlyn Clark and Paige Beckers, noting that mainstream support has been artificially manufactured rather than naturally grown. The low viewership numbers demonstrate that Reese remains more of a known figure than a compelling attraction capable of bringing new audiences to the sport.