Caitlin Clark roared back from injury with a performance worthy of her nickname, and earning headlines not just on the court but off it, thanks to an eyebrow-raising wager from Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
Clark, a 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, returned from a quad strain and recorded a sensational stat line: 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a commanding 102-88 victory over the undefeated New York Liberty.
She scored 25 in the first half alone, including a 14-point first quarter highlighted by three back-to-back threes, two of which dropped in just 38 seconds.
Her scoring spree and sharp playmaking helped propel Indiana to the top of the Eastern Conference-and triggered LeBron James to praise the “CC EFFECT” on social media.
But the headline wasn’t just about Clark. It centered on Portnoy‘s midgame plea for teammates to convert open looks, after he bet $25,000 on a parlay with four legs: Clark to record 20-plus points, four or more threes, ten assists, and the Fever to win.
His gamble would have paid out roughly $275,000-but Clark fell just one assist short.
Portnoy’s near miss sparks backlash from fans
As the fourth quarter wound down, Portnoy live-tweeted his mounting frustration, urging Fever teammates to hit easy shots and secure his winning leg.
But Indiana missed enough open chances, and Clark finished with nine assists, one shy of the target.
That miss sparked fan outrage-not at Clark‘s effort, but at Portnoy. Commenters questioned his motives: “Imagine having such a bad gambling addiction, you watch the WNBA,” one fan wrote, suggesting he only tuned in for the payout.
Others mocked his near-win: “I heard she ended up with 9, is that true? Gotta love gambling, eh, Davey,” another jabbed.
Accusations flew that his interest in the league was more financial than genuine. In reality, Portnoy has been a vocal Clark supporter.
Since her days at Iowa and during her time with Indiana, he’s attended games, praised her on social media, and spotlighted the WNBA-although sometimes his commentary has strayed into viral controversy.
Clark didn’t disappoint on her return-the game marked a landmark Commissioner’s Cup clash against the Liberty, ending their undefeated 9-0 streak.
Her stat line matched career highs and gave Fever fans hope their star guard is back at full strength.
Clark‘s influence on the league is hard to overstate. The “Caitlin Clark effect” has been credited with reviving WNBA viewership, ticket sales, and broader mainstream coverage.
One analysis even linked her presence to amplifying league value by more than $875 million.
The recent Commissioner’s Cup game drew over 17,000 tickets, including traveling fans from Hong Kong-a testament to Clark’s global appeal.
When fandom and gambling collide
Portnoy‘s high-stakes betting underscores the tightrope between fan engagement and gambling, especially as leagues capitalize on its visibility.
Barstool Sports itself has evolved into a gambling media giant, thanks largely to its sportsbook partnerships-always intertwined with Portnoy‘s own bold wagers.
It’s a double-edged sword for the WNBA. Portnoy‘s attention boosts media coverage, but when bets fail, public backlashes-like labeling him “terrible at it”-follow.
In an earlier game, Portnoy did strike gold-betting $25,000 on Clark‘s triple-double in her opener to win $350,000 . Yet the recent near miss highlights the risk at play.
Clark was emphatic post-game:
“If two defenders step up, somebody’s open. My job is to hit the right read,” she said. “I’ve always taken pride in passing.”
Her artistry-scoring, distributing, empowering teammates-makes her worth watching. Even when the bet doesn’t pay off, her on-court drama engages an audience far beyond typical WNBA viewership.
Ultimately, Portnoy‘s $25K gamble landed just short. But the real story remains Clark‘s return-dominating in full swing, igniting her team, and reinforcing that her talent impacts more than just lines on a betting slip.
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