WNBA fans are arguing again, this time over an ESPN screenshot that spread quickly across X.
User @mikeaalen112735 shared the image and wrote, “ESPN finally admits Caitlin Clark is the driving force behind the rise of the sport. Only took two seasons.”
ESPN finally admits Caitlin Clark is the driving force behind the rise of the sport. Only took two seasons. [laughing emojis] [three fire emojis] pic.twitter.com/KTaUzXpNE2
— Michael (@mikeaalen112735) January 15, 2026
The post immediately pulled in WNBA fans who felt the network was late to a conclusion many already believed.
Not everyone was impressed. @tacitusk7 replied, “After everything, you still believe the sincerity of espn? smh,” before adding, “Remember they once put Angel Reese as no. 1 favorite for ROTY over Clark. That is delusional.”
The comment reopened old frustrations about coverage choices, rankings, and how storylines were shaped.
Another sharp reaction came from @WhoaNowNelly, who wrote, “We’re still doing the lifts all boats gimmick in 2026? They drilled holes in their own boats. Idiots.”
For some WNBA fans, the issue wasn’t whether Caitlin Clark has impact. It was about trust, and whether ESPN deserved credit for recognizing it now.
As the screenshot moved around, timelines filled with side-by-side posts of past headlines, debates over early narratives, and reminders of how fast public tone can change. WNBA fans used the moment to vent about years of coverage they felt missed the point or leaned into the wrong faces at the wrong time.
Others pushed back, saying the conversation itself shows growth. More eyes, more debate, and more spotlight, even if messy, still point to momentum. But even those voices admitted the timing felt awkward.
For WNBA fans, this moment isn’t just about one screenshot. It’s about who controls the story, when they choose to shift it, and whether that shift feels earned. The reaction proved one thing clearly: Caitlin Clark’s name still moves discussion instantly, and how media frames her continues to matter just as much as what happens on the court.
WNBA Fans Asked About Unrivaled, Defended Caitlin Clark’s Choice to Stay Away
WNBA fans didn’t stop at ESPN debates. Another wave started when @usatodaysports posted an article link with the caption, “Is Caitlin Clark playing in Unrivaled?”
The answer came fast. @fever_muse replied with a blunt, “No!” Soon after, @rosa_medina added more context, writing, “No, she is not. She just wants to play in the W and grow the game.” That line captured what many WNBA fans were already saying across replies.
Even though Unrivaled has yet again expanded and looks to be in an upward trajectory, Caitlin Clark again chose not to join.
Managing fitness looks to be her priority. Remember that Clark was limited to a handful of games because of soft tissue injuries. After skipping Unrivaled’s first year, she decided once more to sit out. She did attend a Team USA senior training camp practice in December and said she was back to “100 percent” healthy.
Clark also addressed the past year directly. “The fact is when you’re a professional athlete, it’s going to come at some point,” she said. “I think it’s honestly taught me more than I’ve probably ever learned through the course of my career of how to take care of your body… and then just taking time for yourself.”
WNBA fans reacted with far less anger than curiosity. Many said rest made sense. Others said focus matters more than nonstop visibility. For WNBA fans, the choice wasn’t framed as fear or avoidance, but control.
She is set to enter the third year of her rookie scale deal next season after being drafted first overall in April 2024. WNBA fans see that timeline and understand the logic. Health first, league second, everything else later.
