Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese entered the WNBA in 2024, and both have already left a remarkable imprint on the league. Clark was selected first overall in that year’s draft, while Reese went seventh. Their rivalry dates back to college, where they staged epic battles, and now, as professionals, that competitive fire continues to burn. However, their second WNBA season didn’t unfold as expected; injuries took a toll, forcing both to spend extended time on the bench.
Despite their absence from the court, fans of both players remained steadfast in their support, even as they watched from the sidelines. Online, debates over which of the two stars deserves greater recognition continue to rage across social media platforms.
According to journalist Sarah Spain, this passionate divide could take a worrying turn.
One of the worst things about women’s sports right now, and particularly the W, is because there’s a lot of agendas being pushed by criticizing someone like Angel Reese or by fighting on behalf of Caitlin Clark. There are a lot of misattributed quotes or fully made-up quotes, and because there’s nowhere to go to say ‘Oh, she never said that.’ It just travels.
A war of false quotes tied to Reese and Clark
In today’s digital world, spreading rumors has become incredibly easy, and for high-profile athletes like the Fever’s Clark and the Sky’s Reese, misinformation has only intensified. For instance, a viral quote attributed to Reese stated:
Y’all make $1400 a week, I make $1400 in 7 days.
There is no record of her ever posting such a statement. Unfortunately, fake news and disinformation have gained alarming traction in recent years.
Similarly, Clark was allegedly quoted about her Chicago rival in reference to the NBA 2K26 cover:
At first I thought it was a prank. I’m happy for her, though.
That post amassed 72,000 likes, yet the Fever star never wrote it; such fabricated posts easily fool readers who fail to verify sources, allowing misleading content to spread unchecked. In today’s hyperconnected world, critical thinking is essential to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The WNBA must act against rising hate incidents
During the recently concluded 2025 season, several troubling incidents occurred in which fans threw sex toys onto the court. Fortunately, none of the incidents struck any players, but the acts sparked outrage over inadequate arena security.
Everyone’s trying to make sure the W is not a joke and it’s taken seriously, and then that happens.
Said Fever player Sophie Cunningham.
The league responded with a statement emphasizing:
The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans.
Angel Reese has also been subjected to racist and abusive attacks online.
I’ve been through so much.”… “I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats, I’ve been sexualized, I’ve been threatened. I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time.
In response, the WNBA launched its “No Space for Hate” campaign. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert urged fans to behave respectfully and announced additional psychological support for players and their families. The league also introduced Social Protect, an AI-powered app designed to filter and delete offensive comments from players’ social media accounts.
While such efforts may not eliminate hate, they represent an important step toward creating a safer and more respectful environment for all WNBA athletes.
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