Conspicuous Caitlin Clark absence from WNBA playoff promo leaves Jason Whitlock appalled: “Because she’s the wrong color”.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark rushes up the court during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Photo Credit: Imagn

Well-known sports journalist and podcaster Jason Whitlock has called out the WNBA for leaving Caitlin Clark out of a promotion for the upcoming playoffs. Whitlock has been an ally of the Indiana Fever guard since she made her professional debut and questioned the league’s motives behind omitting the rising star from their latest marketing campaign.

With the eight teams for the 2024 playoffs now finalized, a post on the WNBA’s official X account shared an image of one high-profile member from each team with the caption reading:

“The stage is set”

Surprisingly, Caitlin Clark, who was one of the top players in the competition this season, was left out in place of Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell. Whitlock was appalled by the decision to snub a player he referred to as the “savior” of the league. On Friday, he responded with the following message:

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“This is hilarious. The WNBA is embarrassed by its savior because she’s the wrong color and has a boyfriend.”

Whitlock is the host of the podcast “Fearless“ and is known for his direct and candid sports takes. He was born in Indiana and even completed his higher education in the state at Ball State University.

The 57-year-old shared a follow-up Clark-related post on Friday evening. On that occasion, he responded to another post from the WNBA’s X (formerly known as Twitter), which does feature Clark but places her in the far left corner of the promotion. Whitlock once again seemed puzzled by the lack of credit the 22-year-old was receiving and responded with the following message:

“One of these ladies is going to draw 2 million viewers. Guess which one, can you find her?”

 

The Caitlin Clark effect cannot be overstated. The addition of the rookie sensation to the WNBA this year has led to a sharp spike in attendance figures, viewership ratings and investment in the league.

Led by a strong season from Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, the Fever have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Indiana will face the Connecticut Sun on Sunday in the first game of their opening round series.

WNBA attendance figures have seen a rise with the arrival of rookie guard Caitlin Clark

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts to a call during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Photo Credit: Imagn

Caitlin Clark’s intensity and high energy with which she plays the game have drawn in crowds around the nation. The 6-foot sharpshooter has already had a massive impact both on and off the court.

The Indiana Fever have posted record attendance figures this year and the numbers around the league have been up too, especially when Clark is in town visiting.

In just their first five home games in 2024, the Indiana Fever sold 82,857 tickets to surpass their total attendance figure for the previous season. Last season, the organization averaged just 4,067 fans per game. That figure has spiked to over 17,000 this season. Indiana leads the WNBA in attendance this year.

Another example of Clark’s impact could be seen at the Fever’s away game against the Washington Mystics on Sept. 19. Washington’s season finale was the largest attendance in history for a WNBA game, with 20,711 packed into the Entertainment and Sports Arena in D.C.