An offhand praise of Caitlin Clark as “the most popular athlete in America” has sent social media into a tailspin, with fans demanding WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s resignation. When Engelbert praised Clark, she intended to celebrate a generational talent—but instead set off an explosive backlash.
In a recent interview, Engelbert stressed the importance of promoting stars like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Yet, as the clip of her balancing act went viral, fans soared onto social media platforms, many accusing her of favoritism and demanding she step down.
Cathy Engelbert’s Comment on Caitlin Clark Sparks Online Outrage
Engelbert’s full remark during The Bill Simmons Podcast underscored the need to sustain momentum for all WNBA talent. “It is a balance, but she’s a generational talent… No league is ever about one player, but in this case, Caitlin brought tens of millions of new viewers into the W,” she explained.
While acknowledging Clark’s unprecedented draw—ESPN viewership for her exhibition game reached 1.3 million—the commissioner immediately referenced the likes of Napheesa Collier and Stewart to illustrate league-wide equity.
However, fans seized on the “most popular athlete” soundbite, transfixed by its implications.
Across Twitter and fan forums, anger flared. One viral tweet declared, “She should be fired. Her whole marketing campaign is based on rage bait against CC fans. That’s probably a big reason why CC fans don’t watch WNBA when she isn’t playing,” accusing Engelbert of sidelining the league’s long-established stars in favor of a rookie sensation.
While Engelbert immediately balanced her praise by mentioning established stars such as A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, fans seized upon the “most popular” phrase, interpreting it as erasing the league’s veteran luminaries.
One other fan wrote, “Maybe you talk to Silver, but not listening. Resigning seems appropriate and beneficial to all.”
Another fan lamented that Engelbert’s focus on Clark overshadowed the WNBA’s other stalwarts and their endorsements.
“So last year and what we seen so far for this year is them not only promoting, but balancing the promotion of the league? Better, show me the promotion they gave Stewie and Phee? I won’t hold my breath,” the fan wrote.
Clark’s Meteoric Rise in WNBA landscape
Clark’s impact on the WNBA is undeniable. Her Indiana Fever exhibition game against Brazil on May 4 drew a staggering 1.3 million viewers on ESPN—numbers only surpassed in NBA preseason by contests featuring LeBron James.
In 2025, a record 41 of the Fever’s 44 regular-season games have national television slots, shattering previous exposure norms. According to ESPN PR, her preseason debut last week boasted a peak of 1.6 million viewers, outpacing the average WNBA regular-season broadcast by 13%.
Axios reported that Clark’s arrival has translated into sold‑out arenas, skyrocketing ticket demand, with average resale prices climbing 49% year‑over‑year.
The controversy couldn’t come at a more critical juncture. With the 2025 season tipping off on May 17, the league is racing to convert buzz into sustained support. For now, the WNBA’s balancing act between superstar spotlight and collective growth remains center court.
Fold the WNBA – the sooner the better FOLD IT – the world & USA in a D E P R E S S I O N.