“She’s rejuvenated not just the franchise but the whole city… she’s taken it to a whole new level.” These were the words of WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, comparing Caitlin Clark’s impact to NBA icons Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. And the truth lies in the numbers. Since Clark’s arrival, WNBA viewership has soared by 170 percent, and the league has recorded its highest game attendance in more than two decades. She also contributes an impressive 26.5 percent of the league’s total revenue.
But this meteoric rise has also put a target on her back. Veteran Rebecca Lobo has noted that Clark faces a level of aggressive defense unmatched by any rookie before her. This physical play has split fans into two camps: those who support the intensity and those who believe she needs protection.
One Nation host Brian Kilmeade, speaking on The Big Weekend Show, argued that the latter group might actually be hurting her more than helping. “If someone steps up [for the WNBA], but do it without defending Caitlin Clark because the more you defend her, she becomes a martyr. She wants no part of this defense.”
The TV host added that Clark is the least confrontational player in the WNBA. “She doesn’t complain, she’s not trying to start trouble, she doesn’t want any ref to give her a call. If we keep singling her out because we can’t help but do it, it makes it harder for her, who’s nursing an injury right now.” With this shocker, Kilmeade made it clear that being overprotective of Clark is doing her more damage than her injury. While people are still trying to defend CC from the physicality, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has some differing views.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert isn’t alarmed by the Caitlin Clark situation
Cathy Engelbert has not directly addressed the physicality toward Caitlin Clark, but she has extensively spoken about increased physicality, rivalries, and officiating in the WNBA. She acknowledges the league’s growing physicality and the need for players and fans to adjust.
“I think it was very physical at first for a lot of new eyes on the game. I think there were, unfortunately, some inappropriate plays that happened, but over the course of the whole season, I think Caitlin really adjusted well,” she said on The David Rubenstein Show. Clark herself remains largely unfazed by the rough play.
Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to guard Lexie Hull (left) and forward Aliyah Boston (7) during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Speaking with Sue Bird, she admitted that the physicality bothered her during her rookie year. Now, Clark feels her game is evolving to handle it. Her teammate, Sophie Cunningham, revealed that her former team’s locker room had discussed targeting Clark. Fever head coach Stephanie White has also explained how, as an opposing coach in the past, she created specific plays to defend against her.
This season, however, Caitlin Clark’s biggest challenge has not been the physical play but her injury. She has missed more games than she has played, and her team is also battling its own injury setbacks. In this difficult stretch, Brian Kilmeade’s earlier words resonate: the Fever guard simply wants to return to the court, focus on basketball, and block out the narratives swirling around her.
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