Caitlin Clark didn’t suit up for the Indiana Fever’s recent 98-84 loss to the New York Liberty, but she stole the show anyway. At the Barclays Center, thousands of fans packed the arena not just for basketball but for a chance to catch a glimpse of one of the WNBA’s biggest stars. Even without playing a single minute, Clark proved why she’s become the league’s most captivating figure.
Why Does Caitlin Clark Command Such Fan Devotion?
Before tipoff, Clark reportedly signed more than 100 autographs for eager fans. After the final buzzer, the 23-year-old continued her fan interaction, signing more autographs and taking pictures with supporters of all ages. This dedication to the fans shows exactly why she’s become the most popular player in the WNBA.
Caitlin is for the fans, even on the road pic.twitter.com/YVlyPsKEvN
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 23, 2025
they said caitlin signed 108 autographs pre game. she makes it a point to be present because she knows there’s people that have come to see her
— correlation (@nosyone4) July 23, 2025
Clark’s popularity with fans extends beyond casual interactions. She became one of the captains in the All-Star game by receiving the most fan votes. However, many of Clark’s WNBA colleagues allegedly don’t share the same sentiment, as she received fewer votes from them.
How Do Fans Rally Behind Clark Amid League Tensions?
Despite the alleged tension from other WNBA players, fans continue to support Clark. At the Commissioner’s Cup, one fan went viral when she showed a placard that read, “9th in your rankings, but 1st in your nightmares.”
“9th in your rankings, but 1st in your nightmares.” 😮
This fan’s sign after Caitlin Clark was voted as the ninth-best guard by her WNBA peers. pic.twitter.com/mjwlGAX219
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 1, 2025
Clark’s recent injury struggles have kept her off the court for key games. She didn’t play in the Fever’s Commissioner’s Cup victory over the heavily favored Minnesota Lynx due to a groin injury. The same injury forced her to miss the All-Star game, which led to controversy during the postgame press conference.
The tension centered around remarks from Team Napheesa Collier’s Kelsey Plum. Many All-Stars had worn t-shirts with “pay us what you owe us” written on them as a symbolic protest related to recent discussions between the WNBPA and the WNBA. The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire after this season.
Plum appeared to criticize Team Clark for missing their meeting before wearing the protest attire. Many analysts and Clark fans viewed these comments as cheap shots against the WNBA’s biggest draw.
What Did Colin Cowherd Say About the WNBA Drama?
In a recent episode of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the sportscaster addressed the controversy, specifically criticizing Plum’s approach.
“So, the t-shirts don’t bother me,” Cowherd said. “But why do you take a shot at the golden goose, Caitlin Clark? You guys were flying before she arrived on one of those airlines that made you pay for a cup of water. One of those airlines where the planes are the color of a highlighter. Now you’re flying private.”
Cowherd urged WNBA players to stop the public infighting and recognize Clark’s value to the league. He warned that continued internal conflicts could derail the momentum Clark has created and hurt the league overall.
“And here’s the other thing to remember,” Cowherd said. “Caitlin Clark’s already rich. She made $1 million this year alone in endorsements off the court. So, regardless of how these negotiations go, she’s set. Nobody else is, right? So, when somebody joins the band and everything gets upgraded, just be happy.”
While many have criticized the WNBA for asking for more than a nine percent revenue share, Cowherd supports the players’ position. He believes the league is finally seeing improvement after decades of investment, and players should be compensated accordingly.
