WNBA has a Caitlin Clark problem

WNBA has a Caitlin Clark problem, with the league now facing a fast shift from record-breaking hype to a wave of negative attention around the star. After Clark entered the WNBA in 2024, she quickly became a major draw, driving new viewership and attendance records and increasing revenue for the league and other players. But over the past several days, Clark has been at the center of multiple controversies tied to her on-court and off-court moment. Those include her exclusion from the WNBA’s 30-year anniversary poster, a suspension of Alyssa Thompson for striking her in the throat, rising technical fouls, and injuries that have kept her sidelined. Candace Buckner of The Athletic and Barstool’s PFT Commenter criticized the discourse, while journalist Rob Knox said online reactions have also included racist attacks.