Dave Portnoy, one of Caitlin Clark’s biggest superfans, believes she has the power to take down the WNBA single-handedly.
Caitlin Clark’s arrival (she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever last year) has led to an astronomical surge in WNBA ratings and ticket sales. Last year, the league announced a 48-percent increase in attendance, going from an average of 6,615 per contest to 9,807.
The Barstool Sports founder and president attended Indiana’s season opener against Angel Reese and the visiting Chicago Sky on Saturday. Portnoy had a front row seat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, wearing a Clark jersey and Fever basketball shorts.
On X/Twitter, Portnoy took his Clark fanship to another level by suggesting that she would “put the WNBA out of business in 2 years” if she decided to leave and start up her own basketball league:
You know what’s crazy. If Caitlin Clark just woke up one morning and decided she was sick of the @WNBA shit and decided to start her own league which wouldn’t be that difficult with her star power she’d put the WNBA out of business in 2 years.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 20, 2025
Portnoy made headlines during Saturday’s opener when he cheered over Angel Reese’s missed free throw attempt. Portnoy has been a vocal critic of Reese, dating back to when she taunted Caitlin Clark after LSU defeated Iowa in the women’s basketball national championship game.
Angel Reese misses the first free throw after the Caitlin Clark fragrant foul.
Dave Portnoy loves it@stoolpresidente pic.twitter.com/EexS5Oe9bX
— RGF (@rgfray1) May 17, 2025
Clark looks to build off a historically special 2024 season that saw her win Rookie of the Year honors while earning All-Star, First Team and All-Rookie Team honors. Additionally, the Associated Press named her their 2024 Female Athlete of the Year.
Caitlin Clark Had An Impressive Season Debut vs. Chicago
Clark picked up where she left off in 2024, leading Indiana to a 93-58 blowout victory over the Sky in the season opener. She recorded a triple-double, finishing the day with a game-high 20 points, 10 rebounds and as many assists.
The Fever fell 91-90 to the visiting Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, but Clark was sharp again with 27 points, five rebounds, 11 assists and two steals in the contest.
Also Read: Angel Reese Shuts Down Reporter’s Question About Caitlin Clark