“I Blame The WNBA For Using This Controversy”: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese On-Court Drama Turned Racial Pins Blame On WNBA For Using Controversy To Promote League By Jason Whitlock

Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark
May 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) fouls Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images


The tension between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in the WNBA is not an agenda pushed by the media, but rather something that the WNBA itself has “manufactured.” At least, this is how analyst and critic Jason Whitlock sees the matter.

In one of the recent episodes of his program “Fearless,” Jason Whitock blasted the WNBA for “manufacturing” a race-motivated rivalry, particularly between Catilin Clark and Angel Reese, in a desperate attempt to increase audience interest.

“My contention, I can’t blame the media,” Whitclok said. “I can blame the WNBA for perhaps using this controversy and allowing these narratives to persist that they are embracing.”

“We did a very long story about the history of boxing. It was right before Floyd Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao. We did this long story about how this was kind of like the last dance for boxing as a major event. Boxing reached its peak with Muhammad Ali and then after Muhammad Ali, it started getting diminished because there was no black white racial angle.

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“So I could see the WNBA in its desperation saying, ‘hey man, boxing and other sports have used racial conflict to promote itself, why can’t we?’ Because if I’m the WNBA, I clean up a lot. I have a conversation with Angel Reese. ‘Hey, we got to tamp down all this. Your animous towards Caitlin Clark is not coming off in a way that puts us in a good light. It’s serving you, Angel.’

“And maybe it is fueling interest in the WNBA, but we don’t want to use these methods to fuel interest in the WNBA because eventually it’s going to hurt us, and it’s not good for the overall culture,” he went on.

“And so, while you blame the media and think the media is leaning into this, I actually think the WNBA is leaning into this because they’re saying, ‘hey, male sports use racial conflict to elevate themselves. We should do the same thing.’”

Angel Reese, Caitlin ClarkMay 17, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) fouls Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Caitlin Clark on Alleged Racial Slurs From Fans: “I Didn’t Hear Anything”

In an interview, Caitlin Clark broke her silence on the issue of alleged racial slurs thrown during the season opener between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky.
USATSI 26237226 168400517 lowres 1Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts after scoring a 3-pointer against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

“It’s super loud in here, and though I didn’t hear anything, I think that’s why they’re doing the investigation,” Clark said. “That’s why they’re looking into it. That doesn’t mean nothing happened, so I’ll just trust the league’s investigation, and I’m sure they’ll do the right thing.”

USATSI 26237255 168400517 lowresIndiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) attempts a 3-pointer against Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
In previous interviews, Caitlin Clark shut down allegations of malice behind the foul incident she had with Angel Reese. She dismissed the allegations, saying it was only basketball play and that she is not “that kind of player.”

For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through [email protected]. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.

Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.