Dick Vitale Slams WNBA Players: “Pure Jealousy” Behind Caitlin Clark’s Low Ranking Despite Her Massive Impact

The world of women’s basketball is buzzing like never before, and legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale just threw gasoline on the fire. In a passionate social media post, the Hall-of-Famer didn’t hold back, accusing WNBA players of letting “jealousy” influence their votes after rookie sensation Caitlin Clark was ranked just the ninth-best guard in the league—despite her undeniable influence on and off the court.

The Controversy That Sparked It All

It all started when The Athletic released its annual WNBA player poll, a survey where the league’s own players—not coaches or media—ranked the best guards in the game. The question was simple: “Who are the top five guards in the WNBA right now?” The answer, at least according to the players, was not Caitlin Clark. The Indiana Fever rookie, who has been the talk of the league since the moment she was drafted, came in at a surprising ninth place.

For many fans, this was unthinkable. Clark is the name on everyone’s lips. She’s selling out arenas across the country, her jersey is flying off the shelves, and TV ratings for WNBA games have soared since she joined the league. Yet, when it came time for her peers to vote, she was left outside the top five.

Dick Vitale’s Blunt Take

Dick Vitale, known for his energy and honesty, wasted no time jumping into the debate.

“Let’s get real, baby! Caitlin Clark is transforming the WNBA before our eyes, and she’s being punished in these player polls because of pure JEALOUSY,” Vitale wrote in a viral post. “She’s only ninth-best? C’mon, that’s a joke! Nobody is filling up arenas or drawing as many eyes to the league as Caitlin Clark. Don’t tell me this isn’t personal from these players who are jealous of the attention she’s getting. Recognize her IMPACT!”

Vitale’s words quickly spread across social media, fueling an already heated conversation about what really matters in women’s basketball: talent, experience, or the ability to bring the league into the national spotlight.

The Caitlin Clark Effect

There’s no denying that Caitlin Clark has changed the WNBA’s trajectory. Drafted No. 1 overall after a record-breaking NCAA career at Iowa, she entered the league with more hype than any rookie in recent memory. Her on-court stats are impressive for a first-year player, but it’s her off-court impact that’s rewriting the story of women’s basketball.

TV ratings for WNBA games have jumped more than 200% this season, and Clark’s games regularly outdraw NBA playoff matchups in viewership. When the Indiana Fever come to town, tickets are suddenly the hottest commodity. The so-called “Caitlin Clark Effect” has brought in new fans, new sponsors, and a wave of media attention the league has never seen before.

Why the Player Pushback?

So why aren’t her fellow players giving her more respect? The answer isn’t simple.

For years, established stars like Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Plum have worked tirelessly to build the league’s reputation as a showcase for elite talent. Many veterans take pride in having paved the way before the ESPN cameras and endorsement deals arrived. For some, Clark’s instant celebrity can feel like a shortcut past the years of hard work they endured.

There’s also a deeper, more complicated narrative at play. Some point out that white, college-educated athletes like Clark often receive more media attention and commercial opportunities than Black stars who have dominated the league for years. Is the skepticism from some veterans justified, or is it, as Vitale claims, just plain envy?

Rookies vs. Veterans: Earning Your Stripes

It’s no secret that WNBA locker rooms can be tough places for rookies. Even top picks like Sabrina Ionescu faced a “prove it” mentality from veterans when they entered the league. But Clark’s arrival has been different—her impact is so outsized, her presence so polarizing, that it’s led to more than just tough love. From hard fouls on the court to pointed comments in the media, Clark has faced a level of scrutiny and, some say, resentment that’s unique.

Vitale’s argument is simple: Clark has already done enough to earn respect, and not recognizing her is about more than just basketball—it’s personal.

What Really Counts: Performance or Popularity?

At the heart of the debate is the question: Should player rankings be based solely on performance, or should they also consider a player’s impact on the league as a whole?

Critics of the player poll say Clark is still learning the ropes—her stats, while strong, don’t yet match those of the league’s biggest stars. But as Vitale and others point out, ignoring the fact that she’s single-handedly boosting the profile and bottom line of women’s basketball is missing the bigger picture.

“If you’re bringing millions of people to women’s basketball, how are you not a top-five player in terms of IMPACT?” Vitale asked. “This is the kind of thing that moves the needle, baby!”

A League at a Crossroads

One thing is clear: the WNBA is changing fast. With rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink drawing in new fans and dominating headlines, the league is at a crossroads. Social media amplifies every play, every comment, and every controversy. The old rules about who gets attention, who gets paid, and who gets respect are all being rewritten in real time.

If the WNBA wants to keep riding this wave, it may need to find a way to bridge the gap between its veterans and its new stars. As Dick Vitale knows, the best leagues thrive on both tradition and transformation.

The Final Buzzer

No one knows yet where Caitlin Clark will land among the all-time greats. But one thing is certain: her rookie year will go down as a turning point for women’s basketball—a year when the sport became must-see TV.

And as Dick Vitale would say: “That’s awesome, baby, with a capital A!”