Does the recent rise in popularity of women’s basketball – stoked by the rise of players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark – have the potential to overtake America’s Pastime? Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton thinks so.
Off the back of a World Series where the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers brought in the highest viewership for a Fall Classic in seven years, Newton believes that baseball is still a dying sport.
But of all the sports leagues that could supplant MLB as a ‘Big Four’ league – such as MLS or the UFC, Newton believes that baseball will be replaced by professional women’s basketball.
“Baseball is like a, I hate to say, a dying sport. I think baseball will be surpassed by WNBA in 20 years,” Newton said in a quip that has spread widely around social media.
Despite the dramatic uptick in popularity for the WNBA, they only drew 2.3 million total fans last season and averaged just short of 10,000 people per game.
Baseball, on the other hand, drew a combined 71.3 million fans along its vastly drawn out season – averaging over 29,000 fans per game.
Cam Newton (R) believes that the WNBA will surpass baseball in popularity in 20 years
Newton hasn’t retired from the NFL officially, but hasn’t played since 2021 with Carolina
Newton’s comments were heavily criticized by fans on social media.
‘Hey @cameronnewton,’ wrote former MLB player and Fox Sports analyst Ben Verlander, ‘Respectfully. You have no clue what you’re talking about with this sport you never watch. Baseball has been booming. Stay in your lane.’
Another fan posted, ‘I like cam but this is one of the worst takes he’s ever had.’
‘Just signed an athlete to the largest contract in sports history but it’s dying lol,’ wrote another fan – referring to the massive deal Juan Soto just signed with the New York Mets.
Red Sox superfan Jared Carrabis posted, ‘With less than a week remaining in 2024, I think we got a buzzer beater for Worst Take of the Year.’
Newton hasn’t officially retired from the NFL just yet – but hasn’t played since 2021.
The 2015 NFL MVP is best known for his time in Carolina, where he took the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. He also spent one season with the New England Patriots in 2020.
