Now two weeks old, the WNBA season has been dominated by headlines that stray from the court, particularly the undefeated streaks of last year’s finalists: the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, both with a record of 5-0. However, the biggest story has been Caitlin Clark’s injury, which marks the first time in her collegiate and professional career that she will miss an official game. Initial reports suggest that she will sit out at least four games, including the highly anticipated rematch against the Chicago Sky and Angel Reese on June 7 in Chicago. This matchup, already generating significant buzz in the league, drew 2.25 million viewers for its season opener on CBS. It was the most-watched WNBA game in 23 years, thanks to the drama and star power of Clark and Reese.
Reese’s Outshines Clark and All the WNBA
Since last season, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been the WNBA’s most discussed players, largely due to the popularity they’ve brought to the league, with Clark often at the forefront. However, when it comes to social media followings, Reese has a significant lead over Clark and the rest of the WNBA. She boasts 4.9 million Instagram followers, surpassing Clark’s 3.2 million by 1.7 million. On X, Reese’s 690,000 followers far exceed Clark’s 515,300. Rookie Paige Bueckers ranks third with 2.6 million followers, followed by Sabrina Ionescu with 1.4 million and A’ja Wilson, Cameron Brink, and Hailey Van Lith, who are tied for fifth with 1.3 million each.
While Clark is undoubtedly the most popular player and a superior talent on the court, she hasn’t invested nearly as much time as Reese has in building a brand outside of basketball. Reese has excelled in this arena, leveraging her podcast, Unapologetically, and her appearances at high-profile celebrity events to expand her influence. Much like her rebounding prowess, this social media supremacy showcases Reese’s ability to dominate in a different kind of game, one played off the court.
Reese’s off-court success is a testament to her strategic approach to personal branding. Through her podcast and event appearances, she has connected with fans on a deeper level, transcending the sport itself. This contrasts with Clark, whose focus has primarily been on her on-court achievements. While these achievements are impressive, they haven’t translated to the same social media clout.
Chicago Sky First Win of the Season
Reese and the Sky secured their first win of the season against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings. However, it wasn’t Reese who led the charge. Kamila Cardoso stepped up with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Reese struggled throughout the game, managing only six points. Reese’s ability to amass followers mirrors her on-court dominance.
She became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500 rebounds and 500 points. However, she was benched during a critical fourth quarter against Dallas after a lackluster performance, highlighting the challenges she faces in maintaining consistency. Nevertheless, her substantial social media following reminds us that influence in the WNBA extends beyond statistics into the digital realm, where Reese currently reigns supreme.
Read the full article here
