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WNBA’s Caitlin Clark controversy becomes impossible for league to ignore originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Caitlin Clark has become so central to the WNBA conversation that even when she is not featured, she somehow still becomes the story anyway. That was the case Sunday after the WNBA posted a promotional graphic on X for a nationally televised doubleheader featuring the Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm alongside the Las Vegas Aces and Atlanta Dream. Fans quickly noticed something that immediately dominated the discussion surrounding the graphic: Clark was nowhere to be found.
Instead, the WNBA used rookie guard Raven Johnson alongside Zia Cooke for the Fever-Storm matchup, while the earlier game featured stars A'ja Wilson and Angel Reese. That decision immediately triggered strong reactions online, especially considering Clark’s massive popularity entering the 2026 season.
Caitlin Clark graphic sparks wave of backlash
The backlash came quickly from fans, commentators, and media personalities who viewed the omission as a major marketing mistake by the league. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy posted a passionate reaction video on X criticitzing the WNBA for leaving Clark off the graphic entirely.
“This is so intentional,” Portnoy said. “Caitlin Clark is the face of your league, and she’s not on the promo from the WNBA account.”
Others echoed similar frustration throughout the day. Media personalities including Bobby Burack, Jason Whitlock and numerous fan accounts questioned how Clark, arguably the league’s most recognizable player, could be omitted from a nationally promoted game graphic while active and expected to play.
The criticism grew even louder because Clark’s impact on television ratings and attendance has already become well documented across women’s basketball. According to reporting referenced throughout the debate, Clark’s recent nationally televised Fever game drew 2.49 million viewers, more than double the audience of another high-profile WNBA matchup that aired afterward. That reality only fueled arguments from fans who believe the league should be leaning even harder into Clark’s popularity instead of creating avoidable controversy.
MORE: Do the Indiana Fever play today? Home stand continues for Caitlin Clark and squad
Clark continues delivering despite outside noise
While the online discourse exploded, Clark continued doing what she has consistently done since entering the league: producing. The Fever star has once again opened the season among the WNBA’s statistical leaders while continuing to drive unprecedented fan attention around the sport. She entered Sunday averaging 25 points and eight assists per game while helping keep Indiana at the center of the league conversation nearly every night.
Clark’s rise has transformed the visibility of the WNBA over the last two seasons. Television audiences, ticket demand, road attendance, merchandise sales, and social engagement have all surged during her arrival into the league. That is why moments like Sunday’s graphic instantly become larger discussions about how the WNBA markets its biggest stars and how the league wants to present itself publicly during one of the most visible periods in its history.
Whether the omission was intentional, accidental, or simply a creative choice, the reaction showed one thing clearly: when Clark is not included, fans notice immediately. And increasingly, they are making sure the WNBA hears about it.
More WNBA news:
- Does Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever play tonight? Details on Friday’s game vs Mystics
- Kelsey Plum makes major off-court move during breakout WNBA moment
- Lisa Leslie still believes Team USA missed a huge opportunity with Caitlin Clark
- Lisa Leslie’s latest announcement shows why her influence still stretches far beyond basketball
- Cameron Brink had one message for Caitlin Clark after viral block
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