Fans ROAST WNBA’s “Rivals Week” — STOP Forcing Clark vs Reese!
When the WNBA announced its first-ever “Rivals Week” for the 2025 season, it seemed like a bold attempt to mirror the NBA’s successful concept of showcasing marquee rivalries to boost ratings. Everyone loves a good rivalry, right? A real slam dunk for the league, right? Well, it wasn’t long before fans took one look at the matchups and started roasting the league on social media. They quickly realized that, just like with other WNBA marketing stunts, this one felt forced—and the backlash was swift.
Instead of building a rivalry based on years of history, intense competition, or high-stakes games, it felt like the WNBA was trying to sell a product without any real substance behind it. Caitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese was touted as the main event. The league was clearly hoping to capitalize on the college rivalry that had everyone talking after the March Madness showdown. But fans, especially those who follow the game closely, were quick to point out the mismatch in expectations versus reality.
Caitlyn Clark has been the superstar of the WNBA—undeniably the face of the future of women’s basketball. She went on a tear after last year’s Olympic break, winning Rookie of the Year and leading the Indiana Fever to the playoffs for the first time in years. But while Angel Reese had an impressive rookie season and became a social media sensation, her impact on the court didn’t quite match Clark’s. Fans pointed out that while Reese was often compared to the likes of Dennis Rodman for her rebounding prowess, she wasn’t anywhere near the scoring threat Clark is.
The WNBA’s “Rivals Week” Fiasco
The league’s strategy to boost fan interest with “Rivals Week” was quickly torn apart. Fans on social media couldn’t contain their laughter as they picked apart each matchup. Caitlyn Clark versus Angel Reese, a rivalry hyped by the league for ratings, was especially mocked. Both players have enormous respect for one another, and as Clark herself pointed out, they don’t even guard each other on the court. So, labeling it as a rivalry seemed absurd. The matchups felt forced, with fans pointing out that teams like the Fever and Sky didn’t really have any historic beef. It was clear the WNBA was trying to manufacture something that just wasn’t there.
“How can an expansion squad like the Golden State Valkyries already have a rivalry with the Sparks?” fans joked. The WNBA had a tough time selling the idea of a rivalry when one team hadn’t even played a full season. And the entire “Clark vs Reese” saga felt more like media-driven drama rather than a genuine, on-court rivalry.
The Problem With Forced Rivalries
The main problem with WNBA’s “Rivals Week” is that rivalries in sports aren’t something you can just create with a hashtag or a week-long schedule. True rivalries are built over years of competition, playoff clashes, and sometimes, deep-rooted animosity. Look at the Lakers versus Celtics—those two teams didn’t need a media push to make their rivalry legendary. It happened naturally. Similarly, the Yukon-Tennessee women’s college rivalry wasn’t manufactured; it grew out of two powerhouse teams constantly battling for dominance.
The WNBA, however, was taking a shortcut by slapping rivalry labels on matchups that didn’t have the historical or competitive weight to back them up. The inclusion of teams like the Golden State Valkyries, who hadn’t even played a full season, felt more like a marketing move than a genuine rivalry. Fans quickly noticed, and the WNBA faced backlash for it.
Caitlyn Clark vs Angel Reese: Not Really a Rivalry
Even the so-called marquee event, Clark versus Reese, felt disingenuous. Sure, they had an incredible college rivalry that had captured the nation’s attention, but there was no real animosity between the players themselves. Both Clark and Reese have openly stated their mutual respect for one another. The media, however, turned their moments of on-court intensity into a narrative that seemed more about hype than reality.
This rivalry, which the WNBA was desperately trying to sell, lacked the actual on-court drama that fans wanted to see. Instead of two teams genuinely going at each other, it was more of a manufactured “feud” that just didn’t feel authentic. The only reason the WNBA was pushing it was because of the media buzz surrounding their college history, but on the court, it wasn’t much more than another game.
The WNBA’s Struggle to Balance Star Power and Inclusivity
As the WNBA pushes forward with “Rivals Week,” there’s a clear struggle between promoting its biggest stars like Caitlyn Clark and being fair to all teams and players. The league has been under fire for focusing too heavily on one star while neglecting others. It’s no surprise that when fans tune in to watch a game featuring Clark, the ratings are through the roof. But for smaller markets, such as Indiana or Chicago, it’s frustrating to see their teams pushed aside in favor of Clark.
The issue is that the WNBA, while trying to build on its growing popularity, is sacrificing authenticity for ratings. If the WNBA wants to keep growing, it needs to focus on real rivalries—those that emerge naturally from years of meaningful encounters, not because the league labels them as such.
What the WNBA Can Do Better
Instead of trying to manufacture rivalries, the WNBA could focus on the players and matchups that are already drawing attention. If they want to promote Caitlyn Clark, let her play against the league’s best, not because they’re rivals, but because they’re great players. The league could highlight matchups like Clark versus Asia Wilson or even future showdowns between other rising stars like Paige Beckers or Haley Van Lith.
And when it comes to rivalries, the WNBA can lean into authentic narratives. For instance, the Liberty and Lynx might not have a long history, but their recent finals matchup could become a true rivalry over time. Fans will tune in for the talent, the stakes, and the real drama—not because the league forced it.
Conclusion
True rivalries can’t be manufactured on command. Fans gravitate toward authenticity, and they’ll decide for themselves which matchups are must-see. The WNBA’s new “Rivals Week” is a bold attempt to package excitement, but calling a game a rivalry doesn’t make it so. The league might get more traction by letting the stories write themselves. After all, Caitlyn Clark will draw crowds whether it’s a “rivalry” game or not. If Clark and Reese become genuine rivals down the road, that will be a rivalry worthy of the name.
But until then, the WNBA should focus on showcasing the talent and storylines people are already interested in. Rivalries, when they emerge naturally, will be much more impactful than those that are forced onto the players and fans alike.
