Caitlin Clark is missing from ESPN's new WNBA documentary and the filmmakers won't say why

OutKick host Dan Dakich criticizes the WNBA and media for mishandling star Caitlin Clark, arguing the league, after 30 years, fails to capitalize on her popularity. He cites 'petty jealousies, racism, and sexism' as reasons for negative narratives and limited support for the 24-year-old athlete. Dakich suggests this impacts both Clark and the sport's potential growth.

ESPN released roughly two-and-a-half hours of a glossy documentary about the WNBA’s rise over the past few years. It's called "Life in the W," and it premiered Friday night, as part of an All-Star weekend rollout.

By Monday, someone could search the internet and find the trailer, ESPN press releases, streaming guides, episode listings and articles announcing the series. And that was pretty much it.

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OutKick could not locate a single independent review of "Life in the W," a substantive interview with either of its key producers or even a traditional episode recap after the six-part series premiered.

ESPN's "Life in the W" follows A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and DeWanna Bonner through the 2025 WNBA season but filmmakers never explain Caitlin Clark's absence. (Getty Images)

That seemed quite unusual for an ESPN Original produced by UNINTERRUPTED in association with Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, DICK’S Sporting Goods’ in-house content and production studio. None of those organizations is in the business of creating products and not marketing them extensively.

ESPN marketed the series as an intimate look at three of the WNBA’s "most accomplished and influential players" during a "groundbreaking year" for the league.

The lack of coverage is even more