Angel Reese vs. Caitlyn Clark: The WNBA Rivalry That Exposed the Truth About Women’s Basketball Popularity

The debate over who is truly driving the growth of women’s basketball has been ignited by a startling contrast in the public’s reception of two of the league’s brightest stars: Angel Reese and Caitlyn Clark. While both players have undeniably made their mark on the sport, recent events and attendance numbers have revealed a truth that cannot be ignored: Caitlyn Clark is the driving force behind the WNBA’s rise, while Angel Reese’s claim of being a major draw is starting to unravel.

The Claim That Started It All

Angel Reese made waves last year when she boldly declared that women’s basketball is watched because of her too. She confidently stated that her presence was just as crucial to the viewership surge as Caitlyn Clark’s. In fact, she even claimed that people are watching the sport because of her, not just Clark. At the time, it was a bold and self-assured statement. But as it turns out, the reality of who is truly driving the game forward is much different than Reese’s declaration.

Reese’s Homecoming: A Ghost Town

Reese’s homecoming game at LSU was supposed to be a moment of celebration. After leading LSU to a national championship, this was her time to shine once again in front of her home crowd. The expectations were high. Fans were supposed to pack the arena to celebrate her return and her success. Instead, what happened was a harsh reality check.

The Pete Maravich Assembly Center, which has a seating capacity of 13,000, barely filled half of its seats for this highly anticipated game. The final attendance? A measly 6,300 fans—barely half of the stadium’s capacity. In fact, sections of the arena sat completely empty, and the upper bowl wasn’t even opened. Tickets for the game were sold for as little as $15, and even with the low prices, the seats remained vacant.

The pictures of the half-empty arena quickly went viral, sparking a backlash from fans and commentators who had long supported Angel Reese. If she truly was the draw, then why was her homecoming celebrated with such an underwhelming crowd? It was a question that seemed to hang in the air, and one that Reese and her supporters could not easily answer.

The True Star: Caitlyn Clark

In stark contrast, Caitlyn Clark’s influence on the sport is undeniable. As Reese’s claims about her own popularity began to falter, Clark’s star power continues to soar. The demand for tickets to Clark’s games has been nothing short of remarkable. Preseason games that featured Clark sold out in a matter of minutes, with fans scrambling to get their hands on tickets. The fanbase isn’t just limited to Iowa, Clark’s home state. People from all over the country are flocking to watch her play, and they’re willing to pay top dollar for the opportunity.

Caitlyn Clark’s jersey became the second-best-selling jersey in basketball in 2024, only trailing behind Steph Curry. The numbers are mind-blowing, especially considering that Reese isn’t even in the top 10. Clark is not just the best player in women’s basketball; she’s turning the sport into a cultural phenomenon, one that resonates beyond just the WNBA’s usual fanbase.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The reality is that while Reese has certainly garnered attention, she’s not the one bringing in the big crowds. The statistics are crystal clear. For instance, the Las Vegas Aces, a team that plays in large NBA arenas, has seen tremendous success with full crowds at every game, especially in comparison to Reese’s games. In fact, even during her time at LSU, she couldn’t draw the same crowds as Caitlyn Clark, with her preseason homecoming drawing far fewer fans than expected.

Meanwhile, Clark’s homecoming games are practically an event in themselves. Every seat in Carver Hawkeye Arena—capable of holding 15,000 people—was sold out in under an hour. It’s not just the fanbase in Iowa that’s showing up—it’s basketball fans from all over the country. The Fever, Clark’s team, had to upgrade their facilities and move games to larger NBA arenas just to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets.

The Social Media Drama

Angel Reese’s behavior off the court also contributes to the narrative. She has long been a content creator, posting frequently on social media to keep her image in the public eye. However, it seems that the attention she craves doesn’t always translate into actual support from fans. Despite her large social media following, when it comes to actual basketball games, those followers aren’t showing up in person.

After the disappointing turnout at her homecoming game, Reese’s mother took to Twitter to defend her daughter, but her defensive tone only highlighted the growing dissonance between the narrative Angel Reese had been trying to sell and the reality of her popularity.

The truth is, fans of women’s basketball are gravitating toward Clark because she delivers both on and off the court. Her dynamic performances, her ability to sell out arenas, and her undeniable star power have catapulted her to the forefront of the sport, while Reese’s inflated sense of self-worth seems to have been exposed for what it is—a lot of talk with very little evidence to back it up.

The Bottom Line: The True Driver of Women’s Basketball

At the end of the day, women’s basketball is no longer just about who says the most on social media or who claims to be the biggest star. The game is growing because of real talent, star power, and undeniable draw—and right now, that’s Caitlyn Clark. She’s bringing fans to the game, breaking records, and selling out arenas at a pace never seen before in the WNBA. Her jersey sales and viewership numbers tell the real story of who’s growing the game.

Reese’s self-promotion may have worked for a while, but it’s clear that her impact on the sport is limited to social media and talking points, not actual results on the court or in the stands. As for the WNBA, the league is betting big on Clark, and with good reason.

While Angel Reese may have made some noise last season, it’s Caitlyn Clark who’s proving that real star power comes from more than just the noise—it comes from showing up, putting in the work, and turning fans into loyal supporters. That’s why Clark is shaping the future of women’s basketball, and why Reese’s narrative is slowly losing its grip on the public’s attention.