The burgeoning on-court rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is rapidly proving to be a captivating narrative in the WNBA, one that is not fading as they transition from collegiate to professional basketball.
Their latest showdown occurred on a riveting Sunday evening when Reese’s Chicago Sky narrowly defeated Clark’s Indiana Fever in a game that was fiercely contested until the final moments.
Both players demonstrated why they are considered among the top talents in the league, with Reese amassing 25 points and 16 rebounds, and Clark contributing 17 points and 13 assists.
This dynamic between the two has drawn comparisons from NBA legend Magic Johnson to another iconic rivalry—that between himself and Larry Bird, which famously revitalized the NBA in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Johnson shared his thoughts via his X (formerly Twitter) account, noting the parallel impacts of his rivalry with Bird and the current competition between Reese and Clark.
“Larry and I heightened the NBA’s overall popularity,” Johnson reflected. “The Lakers and Celtics sold out arenas throughout the league and increased television viewership exponentially. The higher viewership numbers led to the NBA signing significantly larger TV contracts which then led to higher salaries for the players. Caitlin and Angel are now doing the same thing, selling out arenas and increasing the viewership. They have taken women’s basketball by storm and with expiring TV deals on the horizon, the WNBA is now in a position to negotiate higher TV contracts and increase salaries for all of the talented players.”
RELATED: Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy Unleashes Passionate Rant About Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Rivalry
The comparison, while lofty, is not without merit. Clark and Reese are indeed generating a buzz around women’s basketball reminiscent of the early days of the Magic-Bird rivalry.
Their games attract large crowds and the viewership numbers are climbing, indicating a growing interest in the WNBA that could lead to more lucrative television deals and, consequently, higher player salaries.
The impact of their rivalry extends beyond the stats and scoreboards; it is reshaping the landscape of women’s basketball, much like Johnson and Bird did for the NBA.
Fans are engaging more than ever, with consistent discussions about the games, increased attendance, and rising merchandise sales.
Such enthusiasm is breaking viewership records and setting a rapid pace for the league’s growth, largely fueled by the exciting performances of Clark and Reese.
As Magic Johnson highlighted, the potential ripple effects of this increased interest are substantial. A sustained upward trajectory in popularity and financial success could benefit not only Clark and Reese but all players in the league, enhancing the WNBA’s overall stature and sustainability.
While only time will tell if Clark and Reese can catapult the WNBA to heights similar to those achieved by the NBA during the Magic-Bird era, the early signs are promising.
The parallel drawn by Johnson underscores the transformative potential of their rivalry, suggesting that both the players and the league stand to gain immensely if these two stars can continue to captivate audiences in the same vein as those legendary figures.
