Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Rivalry Intensifies Ahead 2025 WNBA Season

The 2025 WNBA season opens with a highly anticipated matchup between Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever and Angel Reese's Chicago Sky, reigniting their well-publicized rivalry that began during their college years. Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year, has been credited with significantly boosting the league's popularity and drawing new fans to women's basketball, as noted by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert who called her the nation's "most popular athlete." The rivalry, fueled by on-court encounters and media narratives, notably includes memorable moments such as Reese's 'you can't see me' gesture during the 2023 NCAA championship game, which Clark downplayed as non-taunting. While Clark's team has dominated their recent meetings, the upcoming season features five games between the two stars, adding further intensity and media attention. Despite Clark’s prominence, some criticism exists regarding the league’s promotion balance, as Engelbert's praise for Clark did not similarly highlight Reese, who also commands a significant fan base and social media following. Both players symbolize the WNBA's growth pains amid increasing visibility and occasional online hostility, underscoring the league's efforts to manage rising star power and fan engagement.