It’s 2024, and somehow we’re still talking about who’s in a promo, and more importantly, who isn’t. The WNBA thought it had nailed the hype for the playoffs with a perfectly curated X (formerly Twitter) post highlighting the stars of each playoff-bound team. Spoiler alert: they messed up.
Indiana Fever’s real rising star Caitlin Clark – you know, the one who’s been drawing record crowds and turning games into must-see spectacles – was bizarrely left out of the promotion in favor of her teammate, Kelsey Mitchell. Sure, Mitchell had a great season, but leaving Clark out of a WNBA playoff promo is like leaving Beyoncé off a Coachella poster and throwing in Kelly Rowland instead. No offense, but… you know.
This omission didn’t sit well with everyone’s favorite outspoken sports podcaster, Jason Whitlock. The man is known for his blunt takes, and he did not hold back, throwing down some spicy commentary. Taking to social media, Whitlock posted his grievances in true “I-told-you-so” fashion, calling out the league for being embarrassed by its “savior” because she’s apparently “the wrong color” and—wait for it—has a boyfriend. Yup, he went there.
Whitlock’s Fury Unleashed
Whitlock, who has supported Clark since her debut, has never been shy about calling out the WNBA for what he believes is a case of strategic sidelining. After all, why wouldn’t the league want to capitalize on its biggest draw? His tweet, dripping with sarcasm, read:
“This is hilarious. The WNBA is embarrassed by its savior because she’s the wrong color and has a boyfriend.”
Well, Jason, tell us how you really feel.
But wait, there’s more! The WNBA, feeling the heat, apparently heard the collective eyeroll from fans and put Caitlin Clark in another playoff promo. Problem solved, right? Nah. They stuck her in the far left corner of the image, practically an afterthought. Like the broccoli at a Thanksgiving feast – technically there, but nobody’s reaching for it.
Whitlock’s response was equally on point, posting:
“One of these ladies is going to draw 2 million viewers. Guess which one, can you find her?”
Can you imagine the collective facepalms?
Caitlin Clark: The Fever’s Golden Ticket
Let’s be honest: Caitlin Clark has been the WNBA’s golden goose this season. The 22-year-old rookie sensation is doing more than just playing basketball – she’s resurrecting the sport for people who’d long forgotten it existed. You think we’re exaggerating? How about the fact that the Indiana Fever, thanks to Clark, sold more tickets in the first five home games this season than they did in the entire 2023 season?
From 4,067 fans per game to over 17,000 – Indiana is now topping the league in attendance. But, apparently, that wasn’t enough to warrant a prime spot in the WNBA’s playoff promo. Maybe next time, Caitlin, bring an extra 5,000 fans with you?
And it’s not just home games that are packing arenas. When Clark and the Fever rolled into Washington, D.C., for a matchup against the Mystics, they played to the largest crowd in WNBA history—20,711 fans. That’s not just a game; that’s a movement.
Playoffs, Here We Come
Clark, along with teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, has led Indiana to its first playoff appearance since 2016. For a team that’s been quite used to watching the postseason from home, this is monumental. Their first-round matchup against the Connecticut Sun is set to be a tough one, but if anyone can pull off an upset, it’s Clark, the sharpshooting, crowd-magnet extraordinaire. Expect some drama, fireworks, and maybe, just maybe, a playoff promo that actually features her.
As for Jason Whitlock, he’ll probably have his popcorn ready – and maybe a few more spicy tweets in store.