The relationship between the WNBA and Caitlin Clark continues to remain under the microscope.
In the latest example of possible friction between the league and its biggest star, the WNBA decided to exclude Clark from its poster celebrating the league’s 30th anniversary, much to the surprise of the basketball world.
Colin Cowherd Calls Out WNBA Over Treatment of Caitlin Clark
The WNBA’s poster commemorating three decades of action featured several prominent players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Kelsey Plum. However, the Indiana Fever was represented by Sophie Cunningham, with Clark and 2011 MVP Tamika Catchings among the big names who were left out.
Sports analyst Colin Cowherd was left baffled by the WNBA’s decision and did not shy away from calling out the league for what he deemed a disrespectful gesture towards Clark.
“It’s either incompetence or intentional, both are embarrassing. The WNBA keeps driving into a wall at full speed with Caitlin Clark. They now have a commemorative poster celebrating 30 years of the WNBA. Clark’s not on it. It’s not just an ode to the veterans that started the league. Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are on it. Caitlin Clark’s not,” Cowherd said on “The Herd.”
Cowherd also pointed out that Clark has helped take the WNBA to the next level in terms of popularity and questioned how the league is being run.
“Recently, there were TV games. Her’s got double the rating of A’ja Wilson, the best player in the league… This is a paranoid, weird, insular league,” he added.
“It’s either incompetence or intentional, both are embarrassing… This is a paranoid, weird, insular league.”@colincowherd weighs in on the latest Caitlin Clark disrespect from the WNBA pic.twitter.com/TXdjVYBj2I
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 25, 2026
Cowherd also compared WNBA officiating to UFC refereeing and called for the league to do a better job of protecting its biggest star.
“The officiating is awful and way too physical. The NBA allows physicality in the Finals but they want to keep their players healthy for the regular season and the early rounds of the playoffs. Why hurt your content? WNBA regular season is officiated like UFC… Last night, Caitlin Clark has a hand to her throat. Nothing’s called,” he added.
Officiating in the WNBA has been a major point of contention, with opponents often adopting a physical approach while guarding Clark.
The officiating came under the spotlight on Wednesday as Clark had to leave the Fever’s game due to back trouble after taking several hard hits, including a punch to her throat that didn’t get called. Fever head coach Stephanie White called out the officiating against Clark as “egregious.”
