The conversation around Caitlin Clark and the WNBA fans went nuclear this week after Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy attacked commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a viral post. Portnoy wrote:
“I continue to be astounded by how dumb @CathyEngelbert + the @WNBA is. It’s like her life goal is to alienate Caitlin and her fans. It’s insanity. Caitlin could start a new league tomorrow and put Cathy out of business. They won’t be happy till they kill the golden goose.”
I continue to be astounded by how dumb @CathyEngelbert + the @WNBA is. It’s like her life goal is to alienate Caitlin and her fans. It’s insanity. Caitlin could start a new league tomorrow and put Cathy out of business. They won’t be happy till they kill the golden goose pic.twitter.com/f1XGJJNl8r
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 30, 2025
That bold claim set WNBA fans on fire. Some agreed that Engelbert has mishandled Clark’s rise, while others turned the discussion into a heated debate about race. @byrdman220 asked:
“What if Caitlin was Black? Would they like her then?” sparking replies from both sides.
One of the strongest reactions came from @oMiciunas, who said:
“No, none of them. It is all about the colour. And we need to talk about it. And only about it. And nothing else matters at this point. This guy. There’s always one or two of those in the crowd.”
No, none of them. It is all about the colour. And we need to talk about it. And only about it. And nothing else matters at this point. This guy. There’s always one or two of those in the crowd.
— Osvaldas Miciunas (@oMiciunas) October 1, 2025
The divide shows how Caitlin Clark’s impact isn’t just about basketball, but also about culture and perception. For many WNBA fans, the real issue is how Engelbert and the league leadership balance promoting Clark while respecting veterans who’ve carried the sport for years.
Clark’s popularity has brought record-breaking ratings and ticket sales. Still, the constant drama between fans, players, and leadership makes it clear the league is at a crossroads. And as Portnoy’s post proved, the conversation around Caitlin Clark will only get louder.
WNBA Fans Praise Caitlin Clark For Staying Calm Amid League Drama
While the online fight over Caitlin Clark raged, many WNBA fans turned their attention to how the rookie herself has carried herself through the chaos.
@kenswiftsummed up the frustration:
“If your Caitlin Clark how do you not hate this league after repeatedly giving you every reason to?” That question captured what a lot of fans have been asking as Clark continues to take criticism on and off the court.
If your Caitlin Clark how do you not hate this league after repeatedly giving you every reason to?
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) September 30, 2025
Others pushed back by pointing out Clark’s calm approach.
@TheTrentHarvey wrote:
“She’s a better person than we are. Or at least than I am.”
Meanwhile, @frjohnmcc highlighted her character, saying:
“CC has more class than to hate her haters. In the long run, CC will come out on top.”
The discussion shows how WNBA fans are watching Clark not just for her scoring and passing, but also for her ability to handle constant controversy. From physical games to debates about favoritism and race, she has faced challenges that go far beyond the box score.
For now, Clark’s focus seems to be on playing basketball and letting the noise pass her by. Whether fans love her, doubt her, or question how the league uses her image, the one thing that’s clear is that she continues to rise above the arguments.
WNBA fans may not agree on Engelbert’s leadership, but they seem united in one belief: Caitlin Clark has shown remarkable patience in the middle of a storm.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
