The WNBA dominated the headlines on June 30 with expansion updates, the major trade between the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces, the announcement of the All-Star Starters, and the strong message an ESPN broadcaster sent to the league’s players.
ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale sent a strong message of criticism to players after Caitlin Clark finished ninth in voting amongst her peers. He took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his frustration in a post.
“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that @WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard,” tweeted Vitale on June 30. “Someday, they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Chartered planes – increase in salaries – sold out crowds – improved TV Ratings.”
WNBA Voting System
On June 29, Clark and Napheesa Collier were named the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game Team Captains. This year, the fans, media, and players casted their votes for the All-Star lineups.
Clark finished first in fan voting, third in media voting, and ninth in voting amongst her WNBA peers. Paige Bueckers, who was selected No.1 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft, finished second in fan votes.
The Dallas rookie also finished fourth in player votes and fifth in media votes. While Clark helped boost the league’s viewership ratings, merchandise sales, and charter flights, the foundation has been in place for years.
Critics and analysts have accused players of hating the Indiana Fever guard since her rookie season in 2024. However, does her being voted ninth by her peers raise the question of hate?
Reviewing the Votes
Among the All-Star guards, Clark finished last in player votes. While some may consider this a snub, her sophomore campaign has been riddled with injury.
While fans may tend to focus more on the entertainment and popularity aspect of the game, WNBA players focus on player performance when voting. Indiana is in eighth place in the standings at 8-8. The Indiana superstar has missed seven games due to injury.
Clark is averaging 18.2 points, five rebounds, and 8.9 assists while shooting a low 29.5% from three. Despite her impressive stat line, availability is an attribute that is often overlooked.
WNBA Stats
Allisha Gray, who finished first in voting for guards, is averaging a career-high in points (19.5), rebounds (5.4), and 4.1 assists. Not to mention, the Atlanta Dream is fourth in league standings at 11-6.
Sabrina Ionescu (18.6 points), Skylar Diggins-Smith (18.9 points), Bueckers (18.4 points), Kelsey Mitchell (18.9 points), and Brittney Sykes (18.6 points) finished above Clark in player voting.
Natasha Cloud (9.1 points), who tied with Bueckers in votes at fourth, is the only player who isn’t averaging more points per game than Clark. Needless to say, the Liberty are third in league standings. Not to mention, she has been a huge part of New York’s identity and success this season.
WNBA All-Star Selection
The Iowa product is having a strong sophomore season thus far when on the court. Nevertheless, her injuries, which resulted in missed games, could have been a factor in the voting results.
Ultimately, six guards are having a better season than the second-year guard statistically at this point in the season. Yet, the conversation after the All-Star results pointed toward the possibility of hate instead of basketball.
Angel Reese, who is often tied to Clark, didn’t receive a high vote from players either, as she finished 12th in voting. In spite of her low ranking, there hasn’t been a lot of outrage.
Could Reese’s low vote be a sign of players providing an unbiased evaluation?
Clark will start in her second All-Star game, and she will be able to showcase her talent. The WNBA All-Star game will take place at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on July 19 in Indianapolis.
ESPN Broadcaster Sends Message to WNBA Players In Aftermath of Caitlin Clark Votes