Clark’s Forbes Triumph Ignites WNBA Rivalry Firestorm…
In a seismic shift for women’s sports, Forbes’ 2025 “America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports” list has catapulted Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark to No. 4 overall—rubbing shoulders with billionaire owners and CEOs like New York Liberty’s Clara Wu Tsai and Angel City FC’s Kara Nortman. The 23-year-old rookie phenom tops all athletes on the roster, outranking icons like Serena Williams (No. 11), Simone Biles (No. 18), and reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson (No. 15). Shockingly absent? Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, Clark’s on-court nemesis, who didn’t crack the Top 25 despite her rebounding prowess and off-court flair.
The snub has Reese “losing her mind,” as fans buzz on social media, with some blasting Forbes for racial bias: “Doesn’t qualify because she’s Black?” one viral post fumed, echoing A’ja Wilson’s pointed critique. Reese’s supporters argue her cultural impact— from Reebok deals to sold-out arenas—mirrors Clark’s, yet the numbers tell a brutal tale. Clark’s rookie haul? A staggering $8.1 million, fueled by a reported $28 million, eight-year Nike pact, Gatorade endorsements, and Wilson gear. Reese? Roughly $360,000 in WNBA salary, plus $1.5 million in deals—making Clark’s earnings 115x her base pay in Year 1 alone. That’s not hype; it’s the “Caitlin Clark effect,” Forbes notes, igniting a 2024 WNBA viewership boom that valued the league at $1.16 billion.
Is this the rivalry’s death knell? Hardly. Reese’s exclusion only amps the drama, turning court clashes into a broader fight for equity. Clark’s dominance proves market muscle trumps stats sometimes, but Reese’s fire ensures the WNBA’s glow-up benefits all. As injuries sidelined Clark this season, her off-court empire endures—proof power isn’t just points, it’s paydays.
