

A 21% spike! That’s the viewership jump the WNBA pulled this year, even without Caitlin Clark on the floor. While that’s certainly optimistic, there’s no denying that no one drives those numbers like CC. Case in point: When the Fever star sat out five games earlier this season, the viewership plunged by 55%. And the moment she returned, 2.8 million tuned in again. Yet, for months, fans have felt that ESPN has been tiptoeing around the Clark effect, shying away from fully embracing it. But is that finally changing?
The whole Caitlin Clark vs ESPN situation flared up initially when ESPN dropped a 2025 Draft viewership graphic but compared it to 2023. Naturally, fans were confused. Why skip over the most relevant year: The 2024 WNBA Draft when Clark was picked first overall. Additionally, what also spelled controversy was when the media house didn’t have the rookie Clark ranked in the Top-25 in the preseason rankings last year. While she moved to the 15th spot by 2024 mid-season, and sat at No. 4 in the 2025 preseason rankings, fans are convinced that Clark should be at the top instead of reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. So, as expected, ESPN had to face the community’s wrath.
However, in a move many consider a pleasant change from their usual discourse, ESPN folks seem to be softening up followed by Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments. During the first episode of her Show Me Something podcast on July 29, Clark’s teammate noted, “You have seen players in our league try to toughen up Caitlin even when I wasn’t on the team,” calling out what many fans have felt but few players have voiced. “I know the talks that Phoenix had in the locker room like, ‘No, we’re going to show her what the W really is.’ You know what I mean? I get it to a certain extent and every rookie coming into the league, that’s how we’re gonna treat them. But there’s just more for her. It’s her second year, now being on her team and seeing it, I’m like, ‘What are people doing?’,” she further said.
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ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne chimed in, too. When a NBA Today crew admitted, “I think Caitlyn’s had a little bit of a target on her back probably since she came into the league. She pushes back though,” she responded, “Yeah, some of that is just hazing. Some of that is exactly what Sophie said. But I also think that she’s defined herself as the ‘enforcer’ now. And I think the fact that her teammates have her back and they’re going to stand up for her is what they’ve been waiting for. Question is: Will the refs?”
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It’s no secret that the way veterans have treated Clark has been a constant point of debate, from Chennedy Carter’s infamous shoulder-check last year to the string of rough fouls and consistent physicality. The numbers back it all up. Clark reportedly drew 17% of all flagrant fouls last season—more than double the next closest player. And nearly 12% of those came from one team alone: the Chicago Sky. She averaged 4.2 fouls drawn per game in her rookie year, third-highest in the league. And this year, the physicality hasn’t let up one bit, forcing head coach Stephanie White to admit how physicality can be blamed for Clark’s injuries.
BREAKING: ESPN admits that Caitlin Clark has been targeted by WNBA Players 😳 after Sophie podcast dropped: pic.twitter.com/RVIMGDkRxm
— J.Mac | LFG UNC (@Gameis_gameLFG) July 31, 2025
Which brings us to…
Caitlin Clark’s return remains uncertain as Fever adjust
Caitlin Clark is probably facing the toughest stretch of her young career. The Indiana Fever star has missed more than half of the season so far, plagued by a series of injuries. First, it was a left quad strain that sidelined her for five games. Then came a left groin issue, keeping her out for another four. And now, a right groin injury has added to the list, with no clear timetable for her return.
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Clark’s numbers are still solid – 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, but her shooting efficiency has taken a major hit. She’s just 2-of-35 on three-pointers in road games this season and shot a rough 7-of-49 in her last seven games before the most recent setback. Safe to say, the injuries have been a massive roadblock for the 23-year-old guard.
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The Fever issued a statement last week confirming that Clark had undergone further medical evaluations, which thankfully showed no additional injuries or damage. Still, the concern isn’t going away. Clark’s already missed 14 of the team’s 27 games this year, and there’s no telling how soon she’ll be back in action.
In her absence, the Indiana Fever have been holding steady, sitting at 15-12 and very much in the playoff mix. Aliyah Boston has stepped up big time, posting three consecutive double-doubles, and veteran Kelsey Mitchell has taken over much of the scoring load. The team’s adjustments have been noticeable and necessary.
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Boston, speaking on the Post Moves podcast with WNBA legend Candace Parker, laid it out clearly. “I think when you have Caitlin on the floor, everything is automatically spaced,” she said. “When she’s not on the floor, [defenses] can shrink [the court] a little bit.” For CC herself, while her competitive fire remains, the mental and physical toll of back-to-back injuries has been a new challenge. “This is the first time I haven’t felt like a young body that can run around and sprint every day,” she admitted. “Being a professional athlete, you really have to take care of both your body and your mind, it’s been a journey learning about that.”
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Here’s hoping Caitlin gets the time she needs to heal and returns healthy soon!
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Is Caitlin Clark the most targeted player in WNBA history, or is this just rookie hazing?