Former tennis star Martina Navratilova is the latest to criticize the league for sidelining Caitlin Clark. The Czech-American shared a post by commentator Linda Cohn, slamming the NCAA for leaving the Indiana Fever star out of its latest celebratory video.

“How stupid is this??? Yup- this stupid,” Navratilova wrote on X, agreeing with Cohn’s criticism.

Cohn had called out the NCAA for putting Clark down to raise other players up. She stated that the organization was excluding arguably the league’s “biggest star” to praise others.

The original X post that Cohn and Navratilova reacted to is a video posted by NCAA celebrating A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles, and Angel Reese, as former NCAA stars setting records in the W. 

The X post by NCAA March Madness, posted on August 26, lauded Wilson for reaching the same level as WNBA legend Diana Taurasi after recording 100 career games with 25+ points.

It then moved on to Bueckers, calling her the fastest player to 1,400 points and 400 assists.

The next two mentions were Olivia Miles, for having the second-most assists by a rookie in WNBA history, and Angel Reese for holding the records for most rebounds in a game (26) and in a season (452).

Nowhere does it mention Caitlin Clark who has continued to set and break several records this season, including recording her fifth career game with 30+ points and 10+assists, and shooting a career-high of eight 3-pointers in a single game.

The Indiana guard also became the fastest player to reach 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, and 250 assists in 54 games, and scored 200 Three-Pointers in 74 games. 

Given her impressive comeback this year, after injuries limited her 2025 season, her absence in the video was even more telling. 

And Navratilova and Cohn aren’t the only ones speaking out on this issue. Analysts like Skip Bayless have also criticized the league’s hostile attitude towards Clark.

This is not the first time Clark has been sidelined or ignored by the league either. 

The WNBA and NCAA continue to blatantly ignore Caitlin Clark’s achievements

It is no surprise that Clark, who found instant success upon entering the league, is not well-liked by a lot of her peers. That includes players, coaches, and even referees.

Back in June, Clark called out an official during the Fever’s matchup against the Phoenix Mercury, for issuing her a technical foul.

"Yeah, it's ridiculous," Clark said, per New York Post Sports. "I got a technical for clapping. We should all just go on the calendar now and pick a game that I'm going to be suspended for if I'm going to get technicals for clapping."

Clark was also left out of the WNBA’s 30th anniversary poster while including current stars like A'ja Wilson, Angel Reese, Napheesa Collier and others. 

In fact, sports commentator and analyst  Boomer Esiason believes Clark would be treated better and make more money if she moved overseas, away from the league. 

"I know Caitlin makes a ton of money off the court in terms of endorsements, and rightfully so," Esiason said, via an Awful Announcing X post. "But I think there is a petty jealousy… and she is not being treated with any sort of respect whatsoever." 

He firmly believes that the hostility towards Clark comes from jealousy over her popularity, her array of brand endorsements, and her impact on the league’s finances.

Additionally, the WNBA is often criticized for putting more attention on league politics, rivalry, and controversy, over the actual sport.

So, Clark’s tendency to avoid creating controversy and remain neutral also played a role in pitting certain players, league officials, and broadcasters against her. 

Written by

Arundhoti Palit

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit