Amid a landmark year for women’s basketball, the WNBA has seen tremendous growth and increased popularity, largely thanks to the high-profile arrival of rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. However, the rise of these two stars has not been without controversy, as their rivalry has sparked heated and, at times, toxic discourse across social media.
Both Clark and Reese have enjoyed their moments in the national spotlight, but their successes have also highlighted an unfortunate divide. Social media discussions surrounding the two athletes often devolve into negative, and sometimes racially charged, commentary that pits them against each other in ways that go beyond the game.
Despite this, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert believes that the Clark-Reese rivalry is a net positive for the league.
In an exclusive interview with CNBC, Engelbert offered her candid thoughts on the rivalry and why it could benefit the WNBA, drawing a comparison to one of the most iconic rivalries in sports history. “It’s a little of that [Larry] Bird-Magic [Johnson] moment, if you recall from 1979,” Engelbert said. “Those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry—one white, one black. And so we have that moment with these two. But the one thing I know about sports is that you need rivalry. That’s what makes people watch. They want to watch games of consequence between rivals. They don’t want everybody being nice to one another.”
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Engelbert’s comparison to the Bird-Johnson rivalry underscores her belief that rivalries are essential to the growth of any sports league. The Bird-Magic dynamic helped propel the NBA to new heights in the 1980s, and Engelbert seems to believe the WNBA could experience a similar surge with Clark and Reese at the forefront.
However, there’s a flip side to this intense rivalry. While rivalries drive viewership and fan engagement, they can also come at a cost. The Clark-Reese rivalry, which dates back to their collegiate matchups in the NCAA tournament between Iowa and LSU, has often led to harmful commentary. The discussions surrounding the two players have sometimes taken on a divisive tone, tearing one or both athletes down instead of celebrating their individual achievements.
Clark, who quickly became one of the WNBA’s biggest stars, has already had to address the darker side of this rivalry. Early in her career, the 22-year-old guard was forced to confront questions about how her name has been used by some people for racist and misogynistic purposes. On the other side, Reese has spoken about receiving death threats and mistreatment from some of Clark’s fans, with these issues surfacing as recently as last week.
Despite the negativity, Engelbert remains focused on the positive impact the rivalry has had on the league’s growth. She pointed to the increased financial opportunities for players like Clark and Reese, with corporate sponsors taking notice of their marketability. “It’s a balance, but certainly from a marketing dollars perspective, corporate partners are stepping up to endorse these players much more so than they were five years ago because they see the benefit of having women and diverse women representing their brand,” Engelbert said.
The commissioner’s comments highlight the dual nature of sports rivalries: they drive excitement and revenue, but they can also fuel toxic behavior. As the WNBA continues to navigate this balance, Engelbert’s focus seems to be on harnessing the attention and popularity brought by the Clark-Reese rivalry to further elevate the league.
Ultimately, while the Clark-Reese rivalry may come with some challenges, Engelbert appears confident that the positive aspects—such as increased visibility and financial opportunities—far outweigh the negatives.
As the WNBA continues to grow, the league will likely rely on these high-profile rivalries to capture the attention of new fans and cement its place in the broader sports landscape.
