Dave Portnoy slams WNBA over Caitlin Clark decision

The WNBA left Caitlin Clark out of a promotional graphic for an Indiana Fever game. The league instead chose Raven Johnson to promote the team’s May 17 matchup against the Seattle Storm. This did not sit well with Dave Portnoy, founder of the sports media company Barstool Sports.

Clark returned this season after appearing in just 13 games last campaign because of a variety of injuries. She has played well overall since her return. But her three-point shooting has cooled slightly, indicating she has yet to fully find her rhythm.

Despite recent struggles, the Fever star remains one of the most prominent players in women’s basketball. Her popularity has contributed to higher ticket and merchandise sales, as well as television viewership, compared to other WNBA players.

Because of the “Caitlin Clark effect,” television and streaming networks will air all 44 Fever regular-season games this year. Still, despite that star power, the WNBA did not include the 24-year-old Fever guard in recent promotional material.

Dave Portnoy criticizes WNBA over Caitlin Clark promotional snub

Portnoy, a staunch supporter of Clark, took to X to slam the WNBA’s marketing decision. He compared the situation to how other leagues promote matchups featuring the teams’ biggest stars.

He said it would be unthinkable to promote a Los Angeles Lakers game without LeBron James or a San Antonio Spurs game without Victor Wembanyama.

“I like Raven Johnson,” Portnoy wrote. “But to not put Caitlin Clark on every graphic for every Fever game is literally the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. Like would you ever promote a Lakers game without LeBron? Spurs without Wemby?”

If this is real and I think it is this is the most idiotic promo I’ve ever seen in sports. I like Raven Johnson. But to not put Caitlin Clark on every graphic for every Fever game is literally the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. Like would you ever promote a Lakers game… https://t.co/r9l1DnWAeY

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 17, 2026

“It’s not marketing rocket science,” he argued in a video posted on X. “When the face of your league is on a team, like Caitlin is with the Fever, it’s just a no-brainer. You just pencil it in. She’s the graphic.”

The entrepreneur went on to accuse the league of intentionally choosing Johnson over Clark for the promotional material.

“To go with Raven Johnson, a rookie who averages 1 point a game and does nothing, that is so intentional by whoever did that on the WNBA, who’s running their account,” Portnoy stated. “You have to fire them. You are openly saying we hate Caitlin Clark, we hate her fans, we don’t want you.”

Portnoy is not one to keep his thoughts to himself, and it’s the WNBA that has now drawn his ire. 

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