{"id":149059,"date":"2025-09-16T22:57:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T22:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/149059\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T22:57:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T22:57:08","slug":"wnbas-caitlin-clark-disrespect-vs-paige-bueckers-overblown-for-one-key-reason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/149059\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA’s Caitlin Clark disrespect vs. Paige Bueckers overblown for one key reason"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are the WNBA<\/a> ratings with Caitlin Clark<\/a>, and those without.<\/p>\n

When the Indiana Fever<\/a> superstar plays, nationally televised games average 1.81 million. When the 23-year-old Iowa Hawkeyes legend is hurt, like is unfortunately the case throughout the remainder of the season into the WNBA playoffs, those ratings are cut in half. <\/p>\n

RELATED: Fever post worst-timed team candid, fun photos after Caitlin Clark disaster news<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Caitlin<\/p>\n

Apr 5, 2024; Cleveland, OH, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the fourth quarter in the semifinals of the Final Four of the women’s 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. \/ Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

So yes, non-Caitlin Clark games are up 21%, but that number still averages only 794k, and actually the Fever, even without Clark, rank higher than that average at 847k.<\/p>\n

Dallas Wings<\/a> rookie and former UConn star Paige Bueckers, also 23, is a huge reason that non-Clark number is up significantly, and Buckets was surprised on “The Jennifer Hudson Show”<\/a> with the Rookie of the Year trophy by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, standing at the end of Hudson’s signature tunnel dance entrance for guests as they strut down the office “catwalk.”<\/p>\n

RELATED: Paige Bueckers looks tiny beside 7-foot-1 NBA champion after 44-point gem<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Paige<\/p>\n

Sep 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. \/ Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

What did Clark get? A phone call<\/a> as she was warming up with teammates.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Caitlin Clark shares hidden details on Nike signature logo fit for Fever game<\/a><\/p>\n

The WNBA gave Caitlin Clark a phone call for ROTY.<\/p>\n

Paige Bueckers got a whole surprise party \ud83e\udd14 pic.twitter.com\/plvcatyc9g<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Caitlin Clark fans were livid, and while it’s easy to hate the WNBA commish, in this case, it’s not her fault.<\/p>\n

\"Caitlin<\/p>\n

Sep 14, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) on the sideline against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. \/ Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The WNBA had a little more time to plan the reigning national champion’s ROTY surprise given the Wings were out of playoff contention for most of the season.<\/p>\n

Last year, Clark was preparing to take on the Connecticut Sun, eventually losing in the first round to her now coach Stephanie White. The Fever face the same fate today as they’re already down 1-0 to the Atlanta Dream in a do-or-die Game 2 in the best of three, first round series.<\/p>\n

\"Cathy<\/p>\n

Jul 18, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud receives her trophy from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert during the 2025 WNBA All Star Skills Challenge at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. \/ Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Yes, absolutely, and that’s a knock on the unpopular Engelbert.<\/p>\n

Clark also isn’t the biggest fan of Engelbert, like when she called out the discrepancy in pay for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champion vs. winning the WNBA title, which ironically the Fever won this season. Clark is generally more outspoken than Bueckers, so it could have been Buckets’ entourage was a more willing participant to pull off the surprise. And with anything Engelbert, it always has to be a bit awkward.<\/p>\n

\"Paige<\/p>\n

Sep 11, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) smiles after the game against the Phoenix Mercury at College Park Center. \/ Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

In the end, Bueckers got her Rookie of the Year hardwood, and Clark fans will stew that she’s been disrespected.<\/p>\n

You can decide which side you’re on. We just hope that there’s WNBA basketball next season with the continued labor dispute. Now that’s the ultimate definition of awkward.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free dish of rich and fabulous players with The Athlete Lifestyle on SI <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

Say what?!: Bill Belichick, gf Jordon Hudson age difference in spotlight for UNC season<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of: Bill Belichick\u2019s gf Jordon Hudson flexes UNC full-length coat blowing kiss<\/a><\/p>\n

Plus won: Ciara turns heads in \u2018lady in red\u2019 fit with Russell Wilson\u2019s QB1 status teetering<\/a><\/p>\n

Real or not?: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers mystery wife deepens with Jets WAGs takes<\/a><\/p>\n

SEC First Daughter: Lane Kiffin\u2019s daughter Landry rocks white-out Ole Miss crop-top fit<\/a><\/p>\n