Yahoo Sports’ Misguided Take: Why Pitting Caitlin Clark Against Angel Reese Is Delusional and Divisive

A recent Yahoo Sports article claiming that “Caitlin Clark is not as marketable as Angel Reese” has sparked outrage among basketball fans and media critics alike. The piece, accused of race-baiting and lazy journalism, fails to understand the real story behind two of the brightest stars in women’s basketball. Instead of celebrating how both athletes are expanding the game’s reach, it pits them against each other along racial and cultural lines—a narrative that is not only inaccurate but also harmful.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have both transformed women’s basketball in their own ways. Clark, with her deep three-point range, poise, and record-breaking performances, has drawn massive television audiences and made Iowa games must-watch events. Reese, known for her power, charisma, and confidence, has built a loyal fan base that extends far beyond basketball. Both are dynamic, both are leaders, and both are redefining what it means to be a women’s sports star. Yet the Yahoo Sports article ignored these shared successes and instead framed the discussion around who is more marketable—as if one woman’s rise must come at the other’s expense.

The problem with this framing is that it uses race and personality as lazy explanations for commercial success. The article implies that Reese’s “brand” resonates more because of her background and boldness, while Clark’s appeal supposedly comes from being the “girl next door.” This binary not only reduces two complex women into stereotypes but also misrepresents the real metrics of marketability: performance, audience engagement, and influence. Both players have top-selling jerseys, major endorsement deals, and millions of fans. The data simply doesn’t support the claim that Clark is less marketable.

Moreover, the article conveniently ignores the fact that both players are helping to grow the WNBA together. Viewership has surged since their arrival, merchandise sales have skyrocketed, and mainstream networks are finally giving women’s basketball the spotlight it deserves. The so-called rivalry between Clark and Reese has drawn attention, but it’s their shared excellence that’s transforming the sport. To turn that into a divisive narrative about race and marketability is not just misleading—it’s irresponsible.

What the Yahoo Sports writer missed entirely is the power of unity and representation. Fans from every background are rallying around both athletes. Clark has inspired a generation of young shooters and small-town dreamers, while Reese has become a symbol of confidence and empowerment for young Black women in sports. They represent different paths to greatness, but both are essential to the growing cultural and commercial success of women’s basketball.

In the end, the article says more about the writer’s biases than about either athlete’s true market value. It’s time for media outlets to move past clickbait comparisons and start telling stories that uplift rather than divide. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are not competitors in a marketing race—they’re partners in progress, building a new era for women’s sports together.