Angel Reese FURIOUS After Caitlin Clark’s Forbes MOST POWERFUL WOMAN IN SPORTS Award!
Caitlin Clark of WNBA Indiana Fever has officially been named one of Forbes’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Sports, and the WNBA, especially Angel Reese, is not taking it well.
Forbes placed Clark at number four overall — higher than Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Nelly Korda, and even Simone Biles.
Let that sink in. She’s the highest-ranked athlete on the list, and guess who’s missing entirely? Angel Reese – who is furious about Caitlin Clark’s latest award.
Angel Reese Reportedly Fuming After Caitlin Clark Lands Forbes’ “Most Powerful Women in Sports” Honor
Caitlin Clark has done it again. The Indiana Fever superstar just landed at #4 on Forbes’ 2025 list of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Sports” — the highest-ranked athlete on the entire list, sitting above global icons like Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Nelly Korda, and Simone Biles.
And while fans across the world are celebrating Clark’s meteoric rise, not everyone in the WNBA is clapping. According to reports and online speculation, Angel Reese and others in the league aren’t exactly thrilled — especially since Reese’s name was missing from Forbes’ power rankings altogether.
A Power Shift in Women’s Sports
Forbes described Clark as “the face of a new era in women’s sports” — not one of the faces, but the face. That’s no exaggeration. Since her record-shattering college career at Iowa, Clark has transformed women’s basketball into appointment viewing.
She’s brought sellout crowds to arenas across the country, boosted television ratings to all-time highs, and ignited a new generation of fans. Even Forbes acknowledged her broader impact, writing that her rise signals “a shift in how female athletes are valued in professional sports.”
In just her rookie season, Clark reportedly earned $8.1 million in income — largely fueled by endorsement deals with Nike, Wilson, and Gatorade. Those numbers make her not just a player, but a brand powerhouse.
Angel Reese’s Reaction – Jealousy or Justified Frustration?
While Clark’s supporters flooded social media with congratulations, Angel Reese’s camp remained noticeably quiet. In fact, some fans claim Reese indirectly threw shade, liking posts about “media bias” and “overhyped stars.”
It’s no secret there’s tension between the two young stars. Their rivalry, which began in college during LSU’s championship run, has continued into the pros. Reese has often hinted that Clark receives “preferential treatment” from the media, while Clark typically takes the high road — letting her game and numbers speak for themselves.
Still, Clark’s Forbes honor seems to have deepened the divide. As one analyst put it, “The WNBA keeps saying they want growth — but when someone finally delivers it, they panic.”
Clark’s Dominance Extends Beyond the Court
Caitlin Clark’s influence stretches far beyond basketball. She’s become a cultural figure — headlining talk shows, charity events, and brand campaigns. Every time she appears, she brings the WNBA along for the ride.
She’s the reason the league is seeing record attendance and record-breaking merchandise sales. Fever jerseys are flying off shelves. National networks are moving WNBA games into primetime slots to feature her. And perhaps most importantly — she’s drawing millions of new fans, many of whom had never watched women’s basketball before.
Forbes didn’t just recognize Clark for her statistics — they crowned her for her influence, the kind of power that changes how leagues, sponsors, and fans see women’s sports.
The Silence Says It All
Despite Clark’s accomplishments, the WNBA’s official channels — aside from the Indiana Fever — stayed silent about the Forbes ranking. No league-wide congratulations. No celebratory posts. Nothing.
That silence spoke volumes.
Some see it as professional jealousy. Others view it as a missed opportunity. But one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark is no longer just the WNBA’s rising star — she’s its entire marketing engine.
Her name sells out arenas. Her highlights dominate social media. Her brand deals legitimize the league in the eyes of corporate sponsors. She’s become the benchmark for what it means to be powerful in women’s sports.
A Wake-Up Call to the League
The timing of Forbes’ recognition couldn’t be more ironic. The WNBA is currently in the midst of collective bargaining talks over pay and revenue sharing — and the player who’s arguably done the most to boost the league’s value just got recognized by one of the world’s top business outlets.
As one commentator put it bluntly:
“Caitlin Clark isn’t the problem. She’s the proof of concept.”
Her success lifts everyone — from ticket sales to sponsorship deals — yet she’s still met with silence, envy, or skepticism. That’s not rivalry; that’s resentment.
Clark’s Quiet Power
Through all the noise, Clark has remained composed. No social media feuds. No defensive interviews. Just quiet dominance — the kind that speaks louder than any tweet could.
While critics question her hype, Forbes just gave them the answer: she earned it.
Clark doesn’t need the WNBA to validate her stardom. If anything, the WNBA needs her to survive its next era.
And as the Forbes ranking proves — whether her peers like it or not — Caitlin Clark has already transcended the league.
