Caitlin Clark is no stranger to being in the spotlight, whether it’s for her record-breaking performances on the court for the Indiana Fever or the national conversations she ignites off of it.
Following a dominant 93-58 win over the Chicago Sky, in which Clark registered a triple-double, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy sparked a new debate about her influence on the future of women’s basketball.
During the aftermath of the Fever’s win, Clark responded with composure to an incident involving alleged racist remarks directed at Angel Reese and her Chicago teammates during the game.
“There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark said.
“Certainly, we want every person who comes into our arena – whether player or fan – to have a great experience. I appreciate the league doing that [investigation]. I appreciate that the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that.”
While Clark’s statement received praise for its professionalism, Portnoy chose to focus on a different angle: just how much power Caitlin Clark currently holds in the world of sports.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “You know what’s crazy? If Caitlin Clark just woke up one morning and decided she was sick of the @WNBA s*it and decided to start her own league… she’d put the WNBA out of business in 2 years.”
Could Caitlin Clark actually rival the WNBA?
Portnoy’s bold take immediately caught fire online, with fans weighing in on the possibility of Clark spearheading her own rival league. Some compared the hypothetical move to LIV Golf’s disruption of the PGA Tour, suggesting a “WBL” – Women’s Basketball League – could thrive with Clark as its centerpiece.
“She could basically start women’s LIV for basketball and wouldn’t need the WNBA,” one fan wrote, floating the idea of Portnoy and Michael Jordan as possible financial backers. Another added, “As long as the NBA is connected to the WNBA, it will always sit in the shadows. Caitlin could change that.”
The speculation may seem far-fetched, but it underscores the unprecedented commercial appeal Clark brings to women’s sports.
Her games consistently draw millions of viewers, she’s at the top of NIL earnings among female athletes, and her arrival in the WNBA has already lifted attendance, merchandise sales, and TV ratings.
Still, there is no actual indication that Clark is interested in breaking away from the WNBA. In fact, she has consistently voiced her commitment to growing the league and creating opportunities for future generations. Her current focus remains on adjusting to the professional level and helping her team improve.
Yet, the very notion that one player could hypothetically threaten the existence of an entire league speaks volumes about Clark’s influence. Portnoy’s comments might have been provocative, but they’re also a reflection of how Clark has transcended the court and become a cultural and commercial force.
In the meantime, the WNBA continues its investigation into the allegations from the Fever-Sky game, and Clark continues to rise – as both an elite basketball player and a public figure shaping the future of the sport.
Read the full article here
