The world of sports is no stranger to rivalries, controversy, and the occasional media firestorm. But every so often, a clash on the court becomes a lightning rod for deeper debates about fairness, race, and the future of a league. That’s exactly what’s happened in the WNBA, where outspoken commentator Skip Bayless has weighed in on the burgeoning rivalry between Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. His blunt critique of Reese’s recent actions and the league’s handling of its newest superstar has set the basketball world abuzz.
The Spark: A Blowout and a Backlash
It all began with a lopsided game. On May 17, 2025, the Indiana Fever demolished the Chicago Sky, 93-58. Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s rookie sensation, recorded a triple-double, while Angel Reese and her team struggled to keep pace. After the loss, Reese made headlines not for her play, but for her postgame comments. She alleged that she’d been subjected to racist harassment from fans—specifically, supporters of Clark.
Reese’s emotional statements painted a picture of a hostile environment, one in which she felt targeted and unsupported. “It’s tough, but I think I have a great support system,” she said, fighting back tears. “Obviously, in the moment, it’s hard to hear, but my support system is great.”
Her claims, however, came under immediate scrutiny. The WNBA launched a full investigation, reviewing video footage, interviewing staff and fans, and scouring audio from the game. Their conclusion: they could not substantiate any reports of racist behavior in the arena that night.
Skip Bayless Enters the Fray
Enter Skip Bayless, the veteran sports commentator never afraid to speak his mind. On his show, Bayless didn’t mince words. He accused Angel Reese of deflecting blame after a bad loss and manufacturing drama to distract from her team’s poor performance. “After tough losses, she sometimes publicly plays the victim,” Bayless said. “Why bring up these allegations right after getting blown out by 35 points?”
Bayless acknowledged the reality of racist comments online and in arenas, but he questioned the timing and credibility of Reese’s specific claims. “The league conducted an extremely thorough investigation,” he emphasized. “The evidence keeps mounting against Reese’s version of events.”
Manufactured Drama or Real Hostility?
This wasn’t the first time Bayless or others have accused Reese of creating distractions. He pointed out a pattern: after defeats, Reese would sometimes cite harassment or unfair treatment, rather than addressing her team’s on-court struggles. In Bayless’s view, this undermines not only her own credibility but the integrity of the league. “When players cry wolf about serious issues like racism, it makes it harder for real victims to be believed,” he warned.
The league’s official statement echoed this sentiment, reaffirming its commitment to a safe and inclusive environment, but making clear that no evidence supported Reese’s claims in this instance.
The Caitlin Clark Effect
Underlying all of this is the meteoric rise of Caitlin Clark. Her arrival in the WNBA has been nothing short of transformative. Attendance is up, television ratings are breaking records, and the league is enjoying a level of national attention it hasn’t seen in years. Clark’s games routinely sell out, and her mere presence on the court is enough to move games to larger NBA arenas.
Bayless and others argue that Clark is the “golden goose” of the WNBA—a player whose popularity and talent are single-handedly elevating the league. Yet, paradoxically, they claim, the league is failing to protect her. “The WNBA is so scared of protecting their actual golden goose that they’re letting players run wild with physical play and manufactured drama,” Bayless said.
He cited numerous examples where Clark was subjected to excessive physicality and questionable officiating, all while the league appeared hesitant to intervene for fear of upsetting veteran players.
Jealousy, Physicality, and a League at a Crossroads
The tension isn’t just between Clark and Reese. It’s emblematic of a broader rift within the WNBA. Many veteran players, Bayless argued, resent the attention Clark receives. “What have we been doing all these years?” he imagined them thinking. The result, he said, is a culture where teams like the Sky target Clark with aggressive, sometimes borderline dirty play, hoping to knock her off her game.
Bayless didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Sky’s tactics. “Instead of raising their own game to compete, the Sky decided to try bringing Clark down to their level through excessive physicality and mind games,” he said. Rather than earning respect, he suggested, they’ve made themselves look petty and jealous—while Clark continues to shine.
The League’s Dilemma: Protect the Star or Appease the Veterans?
At the heart of Bayless’s critique is a challenge for the WNBA’s leadership. Should the league go out of its way to protect its biggest draw, even if it means angering established players? Or should it maintain the status quo, risking the alienation of new fans and the potential loss of its newfound momentum?
Bayless was clear in his answer: “You’d better believe that all of the established stars… constantly, quietly, privately complain… about Caitlyn Clark getting way too much attention.” But, he continued, “Sorry ladies, but compared to her drawing power, you are chopped liver. You’re just going to have to accept that she and she alone is driving the ratings way, way above what all of you together were able to generate before she first set foot on a WNBA stage.”
A Rivalry for the Ages
Despite the controversy, there’s no denying the excitement that Clark and Reese bring to the league. Their rivalry has already produced must-see television and record-breaking ratings. Fans are captivated by their on-court battles, their contrasting styles, and the drama that seems to follow them wherever they go.
But for the WNBA to capitalize on this moment, it must confront the issues that Bayless and others have raised. It must ensure that all players are protected, that the league’s newfound popularity is nurtured, and that the focus remains on basketball—not manufactured drama or unsubstantiated allegations.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The 2025 WNBA season promises to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. With Caitlin Clark rewriting the record books and Angel Reese embracing the role of rival and antagonist, the league has a golden opportunity to capture the nation’s imagination.
But to do so, it must rise above the noise. It must reward excellence, demand accountability, and remember that the eyes of the sports world are watching. The next chapter in the Clark-Reese rivalry—and the future of the WNBA—hangs in the balance.
