Does women's basketball's recent surge in popularity — buoyed by the rise of players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark — have the potential to surpass America's Pastime? Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton thinks so.
After a World Series in which the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers achieved the largest viewership for a Fall Classic in seven years, Newton believes baseball is still a dying sport.
But of all the sports leagues that could supplant MLB as one of the “Big Four,” like MLS or the UFC, Newton believes baseball will be replaced by professional women's basketball.
“Baseball is, I hate to say it, a dying sport. I think baseball will be surpassed by the WNBA in 20 years,” Newton said in a joke that has spread widely on social media.
Despite the WNBA's dramatic rise in popularity, they only attracted 2.3 million fans last season and an average of just under 10,000 people per game.
Baseball, on the other hand, attracted a total of 71.3 million fans throughout its long season, averaging more than 29,000 fans per game.
Cam Newton (R) believes the WNBA will surpass baseball in popularity in 20 years
Newton has not officially retired from the NFL, but has not played since 2021 with Carolina
Newton's comments were heavily criticized by fans on social media.
“Hello @cameronnewton,” wrote former MLB player and Fox Sports analyst Ben Verlander, “Respectfully.” You have no idea what you're talking about with this sport you never watch. Baseball has been booming. Stay in your lane.
Another fan posted: “I like the camera but this is one of the worst shots ever.”
“I just signed an athlete to the biggest contract in sports history but he's dying lol,” another fan wrote, 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 left in 2024, I think we got a ringer for the worst shot of the year.”
Newton has not yet officially retired from the NFL, but has not played since 2021.
The 2015 NFL MVP is best known for his time in Carolina, where he led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50. He also spent one season with the New England Patriots in 2020.