The WNBA is catching heat after a pregame promotional graphic for Sunday’s doubleheader left out the league’s biggest draw—Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Instead, the league featured rookie guard Raven Johnson to hype the Fever’s matchup against the Seattle Storm, and fans are not letting it slide.
The controversy erupted during a nationally televised doubleheader. The first game, between the Atlanta Dream and the Las Vegas Aces, was promoted using Aces superstar A’ja Wilson and Sky rookie Angel Reese. But for the Fever-Storm nightcap, the WNBA chose Johnson—a solid player but hardly the household name Clark has become.
Social media lit up almost immediately. “Triple 1s ??? This is what y’all chose to advertise instead of the white girl??? I’ll never understand why y’all hate Caitlin Clark so bad when she has exactly what your league needed to make it relevant….” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Oh, I guess Clark isn’t playing, no need to watch.”
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy didn’t hold back either, calling out the league directly. “There is no conclusion that can be made by today’s marketing decision from the @wnba other than they despise Caitlin Clark,” he wrote. It’s a sentiment that echoes the recent unequal scrutiny Clark faces compared to her peers.
Fans drew comparisons to other sports, with one noting, “This is just moronic. This would be like the Celtics playing the Lakers back in the 80’s while promoting it on CBS with video of Quinn Buckner and Kurt Rambis. The NBA didn’t mess it up. You guys are idiots.” Another added, “I’ve never seen a super star, face of a league, so disrespected by the league like the W is to Clark. The future will write books about this sad behavior.”
The WNBA has a history of rotating featured players to spread the spotlight, but critics argue that snubbing Clark—who is unquestionably the most marketable player in the league—is a misstep. This isn’t the first time the league’s handling of Clark has raised eyebrows; earlier this season, Clark’s frustration with officiating made headlines, and fans have been vocal about what they see as a pattern of neglect.
For context, Clark has been a ratings and attendance magnet since entering the league. Her rookie season shattered viewership records, and her presence on the court draws crowds that rival playoff atmospheres. So when the WNBA opts to promote a Fever game without her image, it feels like a deliberate slight to many.
Even the league’s own stars have weighed in on the dynamic. Angel Reese, who was used in the first-game promo, has been part of the conversation around Clark’s impact. Meanwhile, Fever fans have been quick to defend their star, especially after Coach Stephanie White’s postgame comments following a 32-point outburst were seen by some as dismissive.
The WNBA has not responded to the backlash as of this writing. But for a league that has benefited immensely from Clark’s star power, the decision to leave her out of a promotional graphic for her own game feels like a head-scratcher at best—and a slap in the face at worst.
