The controversy has gained significant traction following several high-profile incidents where Clark, known for her exceptional skills and competitive spirit, purportedly faced undue physicality and fouls that went unnoticed or unpunished. The WNBA, keenly aware of the potential implications on player safety and fair play, has taken decisive action by suspending certain referees pending the outcome of the investigation.
This move by the WNBA underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring the protection of its players. Caitlin Clark, a rising star whose performances have captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, has been at the center of discussions regarding player safety and officiating standards in the league.
Fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the results of the investigation, which promises to shed light on the circumstances surrounding these contentious games. The league’s proactive stance in addressing these issues reflects its dedication to maintaining a competitive and respectful environment for all athletes.
As the investigation unfolds, the WNBA continues to emphasize its dedication to fair play and accountability within its officiating ranks. The outcomes of this inquiry are anticipated to have far-reaching implications for the league’s policies and procedures moving forward.
Caitlin Clark’s response to Angel Reese rivalry, WNBA draft upset, career switch and $15m offer
Caitlin Clark was named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year after an incredible 2024 (
Image: Jason Mendez/Getty Images)
Caitlin Clark became one of the most talked-about sports stars of 2024 as she shocked the WNBA world with her exceptional skill and bubbly personality
Caitlin Clark was most recently named Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year in 2024, and it’s not hard to see why.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes point guard has taken the WNBA by storm this year, becoming the number one draft pick for the Indiana Fever and continuing her college success into her professional career. Clark received 66 of the 67 total votes to become the WNBA Rookie of the Year and broke many records in her debut season as well.
For instance, the 22-year-old led all rookies in scoring with an average of 19.2 points per game and also set a WNBA single-season rookie record of points and three-pointers scored. While her team, the Indiana Fever, was beaten in the first round of the playoffs by Connecticut Sun, Clark still showed exactly why they picked her first in the Draft.
She still holds many college basketball records across both men’s and women’s leagues, including the all-time scoring record in the NCAA. Clark also holds records for the most three-pointers (548) and attempts (1,452) and is the Hawkeyes all-time leader in assists.
So, with a solid first year in the professional league under her belt, Clark is looking ahead to 2025 in a positive light – but what else happened in 2024 with the 22-year-old? Here, Mirror US Sport looks back at the key moments of Clark’s whirlwind year.
WNBA Draft upset
While being picked first in the Draft was a proud moment for Clark and her family, it was tinged with a moment of disappointment for the athlete. Due to her status as the number one pick, Clark was quickly ushered away to talk about the moment, and she didn’t get to spend time with her family and friends.
Speaking on the Fresh Tawk podcast, the 22-year-old also noted that she didn’t get to watch former Hawkeyes teammate Kate Martin’s draft selection. Clark said: “I was so upset because after I got drafted, I got just drug out immediately and I didn’t get to see any of the draft. I had my phone, I couldn’t really go on it. It made me so upset. And then, I didn’t even get to see Kate get drafted. It made me really upset.”
Clark was named Rookie of the Year (
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Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Clark also told podcast hosts and ex-teammates Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Jada Gyamfi that she wished she could’ve spent more time with those closest to her at the time. She added: “I didn’t even take pictures with you guys, my family, like Connor [McCaffery], like no one.”
Despite this disappointment, Clark focused fully on her season with the Fever – and it definitely worked out for her as she took the WNBA by storm.
Angel Reese rivalry
The rivalry between Clark and Angel Reese has long been documented and seen by fans since the duo’s days in college basketball. Reese played for Maryland and LSU during college and beat Clark’s Hawkeyes on four occasions during their careers, including the 2023 NCAA Tournament title game.
However, Clark ended the losing streak in the 2024 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, scoring 41 points to advance Iowa to the Final Four and eventually finish second to the South Carolina Gamecocks. Reese is an animated character on the court and is often spotted celebrating in front of her opponents with gusto.
During LSU’s national championship win in 2023, Reese was spotted doing a ‘you can’t see me’ celebration in front of Clark twice and tapping her ring finger in front of the 22-year-old to signal victory. At the time of this celebration, Clark didn’t comment much on the situation other than that she wanted to celebrate her team’s good run and her opponents’ win.
Reese and Clark have battled on court since college (
Image:
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old said: “I didn’t think it was taunting. It didn’t really bother me. It’s just like ‘Why don’t you talk about them winning? Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody would have thought we would have ever gone on? The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and that that has continued to be the case ever since.”
Despite these alleged taunts and potential rivalry bubbling between the pair, both athletes have spoken out and squashed any rumors of bad blood.
Speaking to Times magazine, Clark said: “I don’t get that at all. We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another.Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me.”
Reese has also openly praised Clark after sharing the court with her at the WNBA All-Star game. She said: “She’s great to play with. Hopefully, in four years, we’ll be Olympians together.”
$15 million offer from the BIG3
Clark has been a revelation in the WNBA this year, outscoring other point guards and creating new basketball fans worldwide. However, in October 2024, it was revealed that the athlete was offered the chance by Ice Cube’s ‘BIG3’ basketball league to become the first woman to compete in a North American men’s professional basketball league.
In comparison to Clark’s $76,000 (£62,900) annual salary at Fever, she was reportedly able to earn a $10m (£7.7m) salary in this league. BIG3 co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz also stated that participants would also get “a percentage of team ownership worth millions, 50 per cent of merchandising revenues from her name and likeness, and ownership of a BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance”.
Clark was a revelation in the WNBA last year (
Image:
Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
However, Clark noted that she found out about this lucrative offer totalling up to a potential $15m (£11.9m) at the same time as the media did, and she wasn’t aware of it prior to the reports. Kwatinetz then accused certain people of not telling Clark about the offer.
He said: “We have reason to believe these male agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our trailblazing offer with Caitlin let alone facilitated Caitlin meeting with the BIG3 to discuss the opportunity.
“From our perspective, these representatives don’t seem to work for an individual client like Caitlin. They seem to work for the NBA mob, as their client list is a who’s who of NBA players. Do we expect them to prioritize Caitlin over the NBA — the top employer of their most highly-paid clients?
“The NBA commands by fear, and they make sure their industry of agents, lawyers, managers, and networks stay in line. And that line is to prevent BIG3 success, even if it stunts the growth of women’s basketball.”
Unusual career switch
The 22-year-old has tried her hand at golf during the off-season (
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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)Don’t Miss
In October 2024, Clark announced that she would be swapping basketball for golf during the winter to take part in the Annika pro-am event in November. She linked up with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam and improved her game during this event and other pro-am tournaments throughout the last few weeks.
Clark also played at the RSM Classic pro-am alongside golfer Zach Johnson at St Simon’s Island in Georgia and was praised by the PGA Tour for her “multi-sport” abilities. Posting on X, the official PGA Tour account said: “Multi-sport athlete” alongside a golf tee and basketball emoji and a clip of Clark teeing off at the RSM event.
While many people may believe that the 22-year-old is taking part in golf for some marketing praise, it actually comes from a family sentiment. At the LPGA Women’s Leadership Summit, Clark revealed she played golf with her father growing up and enjoys it purely for entertainment purposes with her friends.
At the time, Clark said: “You know, having my first WNBA season behind me and being here is super cool. I’ve tried to take as much time as I can to practise, but there is only so much hope. You just cross your fingers, pray.
“No, I’ve practised a little bit and I just had the quote about becoming a professional golfer. Everybody thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it. I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends.”