The WNBA is in demand thanks to the arrival of rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and that’s impacting more than just ticket prices.
Collectors are now furious that trading card giant Panini has priced its new WNBA boxes at $3,000 through a Dutch auction.
“The players couldn’t even afford a box,” one X user joked about the set, which features images of both WNBA rookies.
For those unfamiliar with Dutch auctions, the process dates back to ancient Babylon, but was popularized in Holland during the 17th century. Instead of starting with a low number and working up, a Dutch auction starts with a higher figure before decreasing until bidders find a price they like.
The process aims to determine the fair market value of a product and, in this case, helped the box go from $750 to $3,000.
Collectors are furious that Panini has priced its new WNBA boxes at $3,000
“That’s absolutely absurd,” wrote another X user. ‘But the problem is that people will buy. These companies only feel their results. STOP BUYING.’
Another user joked that “you used to be able to buy a WNBA franchise for that.”
Clark’s popularity is having other impacts on the WNBA.
Notably, the league is expanding its regular season from 40 to 44 games. It will also expand the playoffs from a best-of-five series to a best-of-seven series, moving away from the current format that has been used since 2005.
Additionally, the league says the First Round of the playoffs, a best-of-three series, will now adopt a 1-1-1 format in which teams will alternate hosting contests.
“We are seeing incredible demand for WNBA basketball, as reflected in the number of cities seeking expansion franchises, fans attending games and engaging with our social and digital platforms in record numbers, and streaming and streams of games that are consumed like never before,” he said. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
This will also lead to the league being able to sell more games to its four television partners: Disney/ESPN, Amazon, Paramount/CBS and Scripps/Ion.
