Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will not leave the WNBA to launch her own basketball league despite recent calls from media figures and growing frustration over league controversies, according to a source close to the situation.
Calls for the 24-year-old guard to form a breakaway league re-emerged after Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy urged her to leave the WNBA following a contentious technical foul called against her during a game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday. USA Today columnist and author Christine Brennan also noted last year that Clark holds immense leverage through multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals with Nike and Gatorade to lead a new competition.
Portnoy posted on social media after Saturday's foul call: "Hey @CaitlinClark22, just go start your own league already. Sick league." The foul call was dramatically rescinded within hours, clearing Clark to face the New York Liberty on Tuesday, but the call reignited fury over officiating decisions.
Despite the outside suggestions, a source close to the situation told the Daily Mail that Clark has no intention of creating a rival league. "She is not going to take the advice of Portnoy and create her own league," the source said. "Caitlin isn't even looking to consider it."
The insider noted that Clark was offered a BIG3 contract a few years ago but chose to play in the WNBA to help elevate the league. However, the source added that "the troubling factors of it all have really frustrated Caitlin to no end."
Clark addressed the mental toll of the ongoing controversies during an interview with ESPN's SportsCenter in July, admitting she was "emotionally exhausted" by off-court topics. "When I walk out of the locker room, I shouldn't be not fearful of what the conversation is gonna be... it's emotionally exhausting. It's draining," Clark confessed. "It makes your shoulders tense. Because, you know, people don't wanna talk about the basketball. They just wanna stir it up and make something else."
On-court violence and transgender policy dispute
Tensions within the league have escalated rapidly in recent weeks, centered in part on statements made by Clark's teammate and close friend, Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham publicly advocated for restrictions on transgender inclusion in women's sports, stating that she wants to "protect young girls" from "biological men."
Cunningham's stance triggered strong reactions across the league from players, coaches, and activists. Conservative activist Riley Gaines attended an Indiana Fever game and clashed with pro-transgender protesters outside the venue. Meanwhile, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve hit back by wearing a "Trans Kids Belong" t-shirt on the sidelines during a game against the Fever.
Physical altercations have also flared on the court. During Saturday's game against the Chicago Sky, Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected after striking Cunningham across the head. Cunningham confronted Carrington before being pulled away by a teammate. Following the game, Carrington posted "WHITE PRIVILEGE" on social media and tagged the Indiana Fever.
The combination of fan protests, political rallies, and on-court clashes has followed the Fever from city to city throughout the season. The source close to Clark stated that while retiring or stepping away would be easy, Clark refuses to abandon the sport. "She is accepting she can be the reason for the change that is needed, and she is trying to figure it all out. But since she is such a target, she has to choose her battles wisely," the insider explained. "And as much as it would be easy for her to retire or disappear from the situation and not talk about it, she'd never do that because she would never want the zealots to win. She wants to figure it out."
Retired NBA players declare for WNBA draft
The debate surrounding transgender eligibility broadened this month when two retired NBA players announced their intentions to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft. Enes Kanter Freedom, an 11-year NBA veteran standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, claimed that if self-identification governs eligibility, he fulfills all criteria to play in the women's league.
Former Houston Rockets first-round draft pick Royce White similarly stated to reporters that he identifies as a woman "sometimes… for purpose of basketball." White further mocked critics online by posting a photo of himself wearing a wig and celebrating his "feminine era."
The declarations generated a social media frenzy and led to reports claiming a task force of key WNBA figures will convene to discuss future policies regarding transgender athletes in women's basketball.
In a leaked internal memo sent to teams, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert wrote that the league will prioritize "preserving the integrity of our game and ensuring fair competition" and will "always approach this topic thoughtfully."
Player discontent and ownership financial concerns
Engelbert's handling of the situation has faced criticism from players, many of whom admit to having zero relationship with the commissioner. "Most of the players believe that the commissioner is in way over her head and that she isn't going to be the one to fix this mess that they are in," the source told the Daily Mail.
The source described the atmosphere around the sport as deeply concerning. "The racial and sexist and transphobic overtones taking over the league are disturbing and as much as the league wants the players to have a voice, if it is being used as a detriment to the league as a whole, there is no room for that," the insider said. "As we all know, that is not how life works, unfortunately. Engelbert is trying to figure out the best way to move forward, to be fair and on the right side of history, instead of the right side of bigotry."
WNBA team owners are reportedly growing anxious that constant political debates could stall the league's commercial growth. "Owners are concerned about the league's continued growth, and all these controversies are not helping," the source said. "Sure, take on these social issues, but there needs to be a time for this to be a sport as well."
The source indicated that financial pressure will ultimately dictate how the league addresses the situation, noting, "It will likely happen when it starts effecting their bottom line. Money changes everything."
Inside the league, the actions of Kanter Freedom and White have drawn sharp condemnation from figures who view the WNBA as being unfairly politicized. "Most owners and players think it is disgusting what Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are doing," the insider stated. "The WNBA is not the Senate or the House; it is a basketball league."
The source emphasized that patience within the league is wearing thin. "To be used as a political circus is just an awful position to be put in. The voices of reason and respect have to take over, and that is what everyone is trying to figure out," the insider added. Meanwhile, Clark remains focused on playing basketball as the league navigates ongoing turmoil.
