Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the Culture War in the WNBA
The 2025 WNBA season is setting viewership records, but a heated cultural debate threatens to overshadow the sport. Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, both standout talents, have become the center of an often racialized and gendered media frenzy. Their rivalry, rooted in college competition, has been amplified beyond the court—framing Clark as the “golden girl” and Reese as the “villain.” Critics like Jemele Hill argue this narrative isn’t about basketball but about deeper societal biases. As the league grows, fans must ask: can we let these women just be athletes, not symbols?
