In a dramatic moment that has sent ripples through the WNBA, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese reportedly expressed intense frustration after playing in a sparsely attended game against the Indiana Fever on June 7, 2025, at Chicago’s United Center. The absence of her rival, Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, sidelined by a left quad strain, led to a significant drop in attendance, with ticket prices plummeting from $86 to $25—a 71% decrease, according to TickPick. The near-empty arena, a stark contrast to the sold-out crowds Clark typically draws, seemed to ignite Reese’s emotional outburst, raising questions about fairness, competition, and the dynamics of stardom in women’s basketball.
The Clark-Reese rivalry, rooted in their college days at Iowa and LSU, has become a cornerstone of WNBA narratives. Their May 17, 2025, matchup, where Clark committed a flagrant-1 foul on Reese, drew massive attention, with ESPN reporting record viewership for the Fever’s 93-58 rout of the Sky. Clark’s triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) overshadowed Reese’s 12 points and 17 rebounds, amplifying the perception that Clark is the league’s primary draw. The June 7 game, moved to the 23,500-seat United Center from the Sky’s usual 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena to accommodate expected crowds, underscored this disparity when Clark’s injury led to a turnout described as “embarrassing” on X. Reese’s reaction, while not detailed in direct quotes, was characterized by posts on X as “furious,” with some claiming she was “losing it” over the lack of fans.
This incident has sparked a broader debate about fairness in sports, particularly in the WNBA, where individual star power can heavily influence attendance and media coverage. Reese, a former NCAA champion and the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, has argued that the league’s surge in popularity isn’t solely due to Clark. In 2023, she stated, “People are coming to games because of me, too,” a sentiment echoed by her mother, Angel Webb Reese, who criticized the hype around Clark’s sold-out preseason game. Yet, the June 7 game’s low turnout suggests Clark’s absence significantly impacted fan interest, prompting questions about whether the league’s reliance on a single star creates an uneven playing field for players like Reese, who are equally talented but less spotlighted.
Critics argue this dynamic raises fairness concerns. The WNBA’s investigation into alleged racist remarks directed at Reese during the May 17 game, which found no evidence of misconduct, highlights the racial undertones often tied to the Clark-Reese rivalry. Commentators like Jemele Hill and Dawn Staley have called for treating their competition like any other sports rivalry, urging fans and media to focus on athletic merit rather than narratives that pit Reese, who is Black, against Clark, who is white. X posts, like one from @NicsDaughtr3134, exacerbate tensions by labeling Reese’s actions as attention-seeking, while @iWriterGirl praised Reese for proving the Sky’s draw without Clark in a prior win over the New York Liberty.
Reese’s outburst reflects the pressure of competing in Clark’s shadow, where her contributions—such as reaching 500 career points and rebounds faster than any WNBA player—are often overshadowed. The empty arena incident underscores the challenge of building equitable recognition in a league where marketability can outweigh on-court impact. While Clark’s injury was a legitimate absence, the stark contrast in fan turnout fuels discussions about whether the WNBA’s promotion of certain players creates disparities that affect team morale and player development. As the league navigates its growing popularity, ensuring fairness in how players are valued and celebrated remains a critical challenge.
