I have a solution: schedule WNBA games at the same time as NBA games in the same venues. Raise ticket prices for these doubleheaders and no lower price tickets to watch only one game. And no one is admitted after half time of the WNBA game.
No one would waste time to watch the wNBA game. The wNBA is a good product for the level of athleticism present. People will pay to see the absolute best, not the best in the athletic class. College ball is popular because of sentimentality of the alumni and the families and traditions of the fans.
If college ball was presented as an elite league with no connection to alumni, they would fail also.
Prime example...the G-league.