WNBA Introduces 'Rivals Week' Showcasing Clark vs. Reese Showdown

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has announced the introduction of "Rivals Week," scheduled for August 9–17, 2025. This inaugural event aims to spotlight key matchups between teams and players with notable histories, enhancing fan engagement and media attention. A marquee game features Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever facing off against Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, reigniting a rivalry that has captivated basketball fans since their collegiate days.

Introduction to Rivals Week

On April 11, 2025, the WNBA announced the introduction of "Rivals Week," scheduled for August 9–17, 2025. This inaugural event aims to spotlight key matchups between teams and players with notable histories, enhancing fan engagement and media attention.

Highlight Matchup: Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese

A highlight of Rivals Week is the anticipated game between Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. Clark, the 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick and Rookie of the Year, led her team to a 3-1 regular-season record against Reese’s Sky in the previous season.

Clark and Reese first met on the court during the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, playing for All Iowa Attack and Team Takeover, respectively. Reese was considered the number two player in her high school class by ESPN, while Clark was ranked number four in the same class. They first played against each other during Big Ten play in their first two college seasons, with Reese's Maryland team defeating Clark's Iowa team in all three meetings.

In the 2023 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game, Reese led LSU to its first national title, defeating Clark's Iowa team, and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. With an average of 9.9 million viewers, it became the most-watched women's college basketball game in history.

At the end of the game, Reese taunted Clark by making the "you can't see me" gesture. It was widely alleged in sports media that Clark had made the same gesture to the opposite team earlier in the tournament, though LSU's Hailey Van Lith rejected the allegation, stating that Clark had "momentarily" gestured to her team's strength coach. In the same game, Reese also pointed to her ring finger in reference to LSU's imminent championship ring. Following the game, Reese faced criticism for perceived unsportsmanlike behavior, while many, including Clark, defended Reese and rejected the criticism, characterizing Reese's demeanor as coming from the "competitive nature" of the game.

The Reese taunt has been denoted by the media as the beginning of a rivalry between her and Clark.

The final college meeting between Clark and Reese took place in the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. Clark recorded 41 points and 12 assists, leading Iowa to a win over LSU, while Reese had 17 points and 20 rebounds before fouling out. At the time, the game was the most-watched women's college basketball game in history, with an average of 12.3 million viewers.

Other Notable Matchups During Rivals Week

Rivals Week will also include high-profile rematches, such as the reigning champion New York Liberty facing off against the Minnesota Lynx and Brittney Griner of the Atlanta Dream competing against her former team, the Phoenix Mercury. Additional matchups include the Golden State Valkyries hosting the Los Angeles Sparks in California's newest rivalry, and the Fever taking on the Dallas Wings, who are anticipated to draft UConn star Paige Bueckers.

Sponsorship and Promotion

Ally Financial is sponsoring Rivals Week, reflecting their dedication to promoting women's sports. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated, "Ally has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to elevating women's sports in a way that drives real impact."

Impact of the Clark-Reese Rivalry on Women's Basketball

The Clark-Reese rivalry has drawn comparisons to the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which helped popularize the NBA in the 1980s. Analysts have noted both rivalries' impact on television viewership and attendance, as well as their racial undertones.

In her rookie season as a professional player, Clark was credited with attracting the best attendance in the league for her Indiana Fever team, which reached an average of over 17 thousand people per game, marking a 265% increase for the 2024 season over the previous one. At the WNBA's 2024 Final Four tournament, tickets on the secondary market were going at double the price of the men’s games. The Fever's televised schedule regularly reached over 1 million viewers per game. Although along with Clark, present were a new generation of "exciting rookies" and "ultra-talented, already-established veterans," her arrival was credited the most for the "momentous" rise in the interest for women’s basketball.

Social and Societal Implications

After the controversies raised in the media on Iowa's final game against LSU, some commentators asserted that Reese faced harsher criticism for her taunts because she is black, while Clark, who is white, did not receive the same level of scrutiny.

Clark's rise in popularity and her subsequent sponsorship deals were attributed by former ESPN commentator Jemele Hill as due in part to her "race and sexuality," beyond the athlete's on-the-court achievements. Hill opined that anyone who did not say it would be "naive." Las Vegas Aces star player A'ja Wilson, asked by the media about the potential racial element in Clark's endorsements, responded that, indeed, it is a "matter of black and white."