Chennedy Carter seems determined to keep her one-sided rivalry with Caitlin Clark alive. Recently, Carter took to Instagram to voice her frustration over an ESPN ranking that placed Clark ahead of her in the WNBA player rankings. In her post, Carter expressed her displeasure, suggesting that the ranking was unfair and rooted in bias.
“The hate is so obvious,” Carter wrote on her Instagram story. “How I average less minutes and my stats top in the league? But I am at the BOTTOM this isn’t adding up. F/G (field goal) percentage as well.”
Carter’s frustration comes as Caitlin Clark continues to shine in her debut WNBA season. Over halfway through the 2024 season, Clark has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 17.1 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game. She has also started in every game for the Indiana Fever, the team that selected her with the #1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Clark’s stellar performance has made her the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year, and she has quickly become one of the most recognizable faces not just in the WNBA, but in women’s sports as a whole.
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Clark’s impact extends beyond the court, as her presence has coincided with a significant surge in the league’s popularity.
Since Clark’s arrival, the WNBA has seen record highs in various metrics, including viewership, attendance, jersey sales, and social media engagement. The Indiana Fever, in particular, have benefited immensely from Clark’s popularity. The team has experienced a 265% increase in attendance, a staggering 1,193% jump in jersey sales, a 740% rise in beer sales at games, and a 225% increase in partnerships.
As the WNBA resumes its 2024 season following a break for the summer Olympics, which saw many of the league’s top players competing in Paris, Clark and the Fever are set to take on the Phoenix Mercury tonight. The matchup, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., will be closely watched as Clark continues to build on her remarkable rookie season.
While Carter’s grievances may keep her name in the headlines, it’s clear that Caitlin Clark’s performance and influence are making a lasting impact on the league.
As Clark continues to elevate her game and the WNBA as a whole, the comparisons and debates are sure to follow, but the numbers—and the fans—are firmly on Clark’s side.
