- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,189,832
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
WNBA choosing Sophie Cunningham over Caitlin Clark isn't even the worst decision made for its 30th anniversary poster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The WNBA wanted its new 30th anniversary poster to celebrate three decades of league history. Instead, it sparked one of the biggest social media debates of the season. Much of the initial backlash centered on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham being featured while teammate Caitlin Clark was left off. Given Clark's impact on the league's unprecedented growth over the past two seasons, many fans couldn't understand the decision.
But as the conversation continued online, another point became even more apparent. For many longtime WNBA fans, Clark's omission wasn't even the biggest surprise.
Caitlin Clark wasn't the only glaring omission
The criticism aimed at the poster wasn't really about Cunningham. The veteran guard has become an important piece of the Fever, averaging 9.9 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from three-point range. She's also become one of Indiana's most popular players because of her energy and toughness.
The bigger issue was that Clark, who has helped drive record television ratings, attendance, merchandise sales and overall interest in the WNBA, wasn't included on a poster celebrating the league's history. Still, as fans looked more closely at the artwork, they realized Clark wasn't alone.
Several of the most recognizable names in league history were also nowhere to be found.
Fans couldn't believe the legendary players who were left off
Within minutes of the poster being released on X, fans began pointing out the absence of some of the greatest players the league has ever seen. Among the names repeatedly mentioned were Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Sheryl Swoopes.
For many fans, those omissions were even harder to explain than Clark's. Taurasi is the WNBA's all-time leading scorer and one of the most decorated players in basketball history. Bird retired as one of the greatest point guards the sport has ever produced, winning four WNBA championships and five Olympic gold medals. Swoopes was one of the league's original superstars, helping establish the WNBA during its earliest years while winning four championships and three MVP awards.
Leaving out players who helped build the league from the ground up left many fans wondering exactly what criteria were used to create the poster.
MORE: Former WNBA All-Star calls for league review after controversial Alyssa Thomas play involving Caitlin Clark
What was the WNBA trying to celebrate?
The controversy quickly evolved into a larger question. Was the poster meant to recognize the greatest players in league history? Was it designed to feature one representative from every franchise? Was it highlighting cultural impact, popularity or simply creating an artistic collection of recognizable faces?
The WNBA has not publicly explained how the 30 players were selected, allowing fans to reach their own conclusions. Without that context, the omissions became the story.
The attention shifted away from the celebration
Ironically, the poster accomplished one thing every league hopes for: people talked about it. Instead of celebrating the WNBA's 30th anniversary, however, much of the discussion focused on who wasn't included.
Clark's omission generated the initial headlines because of her current impact on the sport. But as fans dug deeper, many concluded that leaving off foundational legends such as Taurasi, Bird and Swoopes was an even more puzzling decision. The WNBA set out to honor its past while celebrating its present.
Instead, the anniversary poster has become a conversation about the players many fans believe should have been impossible to leave out.
More WNBA news:
- Caitlin Clark shows abs and USMNT pride before Fever-Mercury matchup
- The basketball world is starting to agree on one thing about Olivia Miles
- Mercury lose surprise rookie sensation as contract is temporarily suspended
- A'ja Wilson's technical foul could come with costly consequence after Aces blowout win
- Angel Reese's flagrant foul vs. Fever could come with immediate consequence
Continue reading...
