WNBA Facing Backlash for Caitlin Clark Decision Before Playoffs

The Indiana Fever and Connecticut Sun will face off in the first round of the WNBA playoffs that begin on Sunday. Connecticut finished as the third seed, so it will host the sixth seed, Fever, at Mohegan Sun Arena to begin this series.

Star rookie Caitlin Clark will be playing in her first postseason after putting together a historic rookie campaign. With unprecedented statistical averages of 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds, Clark broke numerous records in her first season.

Also breaking records with the viewership and attendance she helped generate, Clark was the driving force behind some exponential growth for the WNBA.

Despite Clark being the undeniable face of this surge in WNBA popularity, the league's official account on X made a bizarre decision when making their postseason graphic.

Choosing one player to headline each team for their announcement of playoff matchups, the WNBA selected Kelsey Mitchell over Clark.

An All-Star each of the last two seasons, Mitchell is a fantastic player who helped Indiana make the postseason, but fans are baffled at Clark's absence here.

Via @TRhodes96: "Attendance way up, arenas sold out and you leave off the player responsible for the success? Bravo."

The WNBA's decision to leave Clark off this graphic has reignited the "jealousy" narrative as it pertains to the Fever rookie.

Via @Alexm3111: "The fact that Clark isn’t on this graphic should prove to everyone that WNBA is jealous of her success."

While some feel this decision was intentional, others believe the WNBA is simply clueless when it comes to marketing their product.

Via @RobertRagan84: "Not having Clark on this graphic is yet another example of the WNBA having no clue what they’re doing in regards to marketing their product."

This is a very strange decision by the WNBA and one that has received intense backlash from fans. After what Clark has helped generate for the league this season, fans expected to see her featured on the league's postseason graphic.

Clark and the Fever will tip off in Connecticut at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday.

Related: Mystics Make Big Announcement for Game Against Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

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