The landscape of women’s sports is shifting beneath our feet, and a recent announcement from Forbes has just triggered an earthquake. In their prestigious 2025 “Most Powerful Women in Sports” list, a seismic gap has been revealed between the WNBA’s two most talked-about rookies, sparking intense debate and alleged behind-the-scenes fury. Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever sensation, has landed at a staggering number four—not just among athletes, but sitting alongside billionaire team owners and Fortune 500 executives. Meanwhile, her longtime rival, Angel Reese, did not make the cut.
This ranking is more than just a trophy; it is a definitive statement on the economics of modern sports. It has reportedly left Reese “losing her mind,” reigniting the narrative of a rivalry that has transcended the basketball court and entered the cutthroat world of big business. As the dust settles, the numbers reveal a story not just of jealousy, but of two players operating in entirely different stratospheres.
The $8.1 Million Rookie: A Business Empire
To understand the magnitude of this ranking, one must look at the financials. In her rookie season alone, Caitlin Clark pulled in an estimated $8.1 million. To put that into perspective, her base WNBA salary was roughly $70,000. Clark earned approximately 115 times her playing salary through off-court endorsements and business ventures.
She isn’t just out-earning her peers; she is eclipsing the net worth of entire franchises. Forbes noted that Clark’s earnings exceed the valuations of some women’s sports teams. This financial firepower is derived from unprecedented deals with Nike, Gatorade, and Wilson—partnerships structured more like those of LeBron James or Stephen Curry than a typical WNBA player. Nike, for instance, didn’t just offer her a contract; they handed her a signature shoe line and revenue-sharing agreements, betting that she can move product like Michael Jordan.
This is where the Forbes criteria set Clark apart. They didn’t rank her based on three-pointers made or assists dished. They ranked her on “pure business power”—her ability to drive revenue, influence media deals, and move markets. Clark is described as a “business empire disguised as a 23-year-old phenom.”
The “Jealousy” Narrative: A Pattern of Resentment?
While Clark ascends to the realm of business moguls, reports suggest that Angel Reese is struggling to accept this new reality. The video report highlights a “pattern of resentment” that dates back to their collegiate days at Iowa and LSU. The narrative posits that whenever Clark achieves a major milestone, Reese attempts to insert herself into the conversation or launch a counter-move.
The timeline presented is compelling:
Draft Day: Clark goes #1 overall with massive fanfare; Reese goes #7.
Shoe Deals: Clark announces a historic Nike partnership; days later, Reese announces her deal with Reebok.
Endorsements: Clark signs with Gatorade; Reese follows with a beverage partnership of her own.
Critics argue that Reese’s business moves often feel reactionary, an attempt to ride the wave of attention that Clark naturally generates. The Forbes snub is the latest and perhaps most painful blow. While Reese has undoubtedly built a strong brand and following, Forbes determined that her economic impact does not yet rival the “ecosystem” that Clark drives. The accusation is that Reese consistently positions herself as Clark’s equal, while the market dictates otherwise.
The “Clark Effect” by the Numbers
The Forbes ranking is backed by hard data that paints a stark picture of Clark’s value compared to the rest of the league. The term “Caitlin Clark Effect” is not hyperbole; it is a measurable economic phenomenon.
Viewership: The 2025 All-Star Game, which Clark missed due to injury, saw viewership plummet by 36%, dropping from 3.44 million to 2.19 million. Over a million viewers simply tuned out because she wasn’t there.
Ticket Sales: When it was announced Clark wouldn’t play in the All-Star Game, ticket prices on the secondary market crashed by 48% overnight. Conversely, when the Fever traveled to away games, ticket sales spiked by 93% compared to the previous year.
League Economy: In her debut season, it is estimated that Clark alone drove 26.5% of the WNBA’s total economic activity.
This data suggests that the WNBA’s marketing strategy was heavily reliant on one player. When Clark plays, the numbers look like NBA figures. When she doesn’t, they revert to traditional WNBA averages. This disparity explains why Forbes views her as a power broker on par with team owners—she effectively holds the keys to the league’s financial growth.
A Tale of Two Leagues
The contrast between how the WNBA and other organizations have handled Clark is telling. The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) immediately jumped on Clark’s interest in golf, pairing her with world number one Nelly Korda for a Pro-Am event and building a marketing campaign around it within hours. They recognized her crossover appeal instantly.
In contrast, the WNBA has faced criticism for being slower to fully leverage Clark’s stardom, often focusing on “parity” and promoting the league as a whole rather than capitalizing on their biggest asset. However, the market has forced their hand. Sponsors aren’t just buying into the WNBA; they are buying into the Caitlin Clark show.
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Conclusion: The Gap Widens
The Forbes ranking has officially codified what the business world already knew: Caitlin Clark is a unicorn. She has transcended her sport to become a cultural and economic force. For Angel Reese and other contemporaries, this is a harsh reality to face. The rivalry that fueled college basketball is shifting. On the court, they may battle for wins and losses, but in the boardroom, Clark is playing a different game entirely.
As Reese reportedly fumes over the snub, the lesson from Forbes is clear: In the high-stakes world of professional sports, power isn’t just about who scores the most points—it’s about who makes the most money. And right now, that title belongs undeniably to Caitlin Clark.
