The legendary ESPN broadcaster didn’t hold back when criticizing WNBA players for ranking Caitlin Clark as only the 9th best guard despite her transformative impact on the league.

ESPN’s iconic college basketball analyst Dick Vitale has ignited a firestorm of controversy after unleashing a scathing critique of WNBA players who ranked Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark as merely the ninth-best guard in the league’s All-Star voting. The 86-year-old broadcasting legend pulled no punches, accusing Clark’s peers of harboring “pure jealousy” toward the player who has single-handedly revolutionized women’s professional basketball.

The Voting Controversy That Sparked Outrage

The controversy erupted when the WNBA announced its 2025 All-Star Game participants on July 1st. While Clark dominated fan voting with a record-breaking 1.3 million votes and was named team captain alongside Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, the breakdown of how those votes were calculated revealed a shocking disparity.

The All-Star selection process weights votes as follows:

50% Fan Votes: Clark finished first with historic numbers

25% Media Votes: Clark ranked third, behind Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and New York’s Sabrina Ionescu

25% Player Votes: Clark shockingly ranked ninth among guards

This stark contrast between fan adoration and peer recognition immediately raised eyebrows across the basketball community, with many questioning whether Clark’s fellow players were giving her the respect she deserves.

Vitale’s Explosive Response

Dick Vitale, never one to mince words, took to social media with a blistering response that has since gone viral. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the passionate broadcaster laid out his case:

“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that the WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard,” Vitale wrote. “Some day they will realize what she has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Charter planes – increase in salaries – sold out crowds – improved TV ratings.”

The veteran commentator didn’t stop there, doubling down on his criticism in subsequent posts and interviews. Speaking with Front Office Sports, Vitale expanded on his frustrations:

“I feel strongly that various players don’t give Caitlin Clark the respect she deserves. What she has done to help the WNBA has been unbelievable. Think about it. PR excitement. Ticket sales. TV ratings and interest. Salary increases. More charter flights than the past. Plus, she is so exciting to watch. Lots of jealousy.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Clark’s Transformative Impact

Vitale’s defense of Clark isn’t just emotional rhetoric—it’s backed by concrete evidence of her unprecedented impact on the WNBA:

On-Court Performance

18.2 points per game

8.9 assists per game

5.0 rebounds per game

1.2 steals per game

League-Wide Impact

Record-breaking TV ratings across all networks

Sold-out arenas wherever the Fever play

Increased player salaries through new collective bargaining agreements

Charter flights now standard for team travel

1.3 million All-Star votes – the most in WNBA history

The Broader Context: A League Divided

The voting controversy has exposed deeper tensions within the WNBA about Clark’s meteoric rise and the attention she’s brought to the league. While fans and media have embraced her as a transformative figure, some players appear resistant to acknowledging her impact.

Several factors may explain the player vote disparity:

Injury concerns: Clark missed seven games this season due to quad and groin injuries

Competitive dynamics: Some players may feel overshadowed by Clark’s media attention

Traditional league hierarchy: Veteran players may resent a second-year player receiving such acclaim

Industry Reactions and Support

Vitale isn’t alone in his criticism. Sports commentators, analysts, and fans have rallied to Clark’s defense, with many echoing his sentiments about jealousy within the league.

Key supporters have pointed out:

Clark’s nearly unanimous Rookie of the Year award in 2024

Her first-team All-WNBA selection

Fourth-place MVP finish in her rookie season

The dramatic increase in league popularity since her arrival

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the WNBA

The controversy surrounding Clark’s ranking reveals a fundamental tension within the WNBA between embracing newfound popularity and maintaining traditional respect hierarchies. Vitale’s comments have forced the league to confront some uncomfortable truths about internal dynamics.

Critical questions emerge:

Are established players threatened by Clark’s rapid rise to superstardom?

Is the league’s growth dependent on one player’s popularity?

How can the WNBA balance respect for veterans with recognition of game-changing talent?

Looking Ahead: The All-Star Game and Beyond

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, scheduled for July 19th at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, will serve as a crucial test of league unity. With Clark as team captain despite her peers’ lukewarm support, all eyes will be on how she’s received by fellow players.

What’s at stake:

Clark’s relationship with fellow players

The league’s continued growth trajectory

Fan perception of internal WNBA dynamics

The future of women’s professional basketball

Vitale’s Final Word

In characteristic fashion, Dick Vitale concluded his criticism with a bold prediction about Clark’s legacy:

“It is ABSURD the way that a number of players in the WNBA have treated Caitlin Clark! So sad but I bet they love the CHARTER FLIGHTS – the increase in SALARIES – the CROWDS – the TV ratings since she arrived from Iowa. No doubt she is THE BEST thing to happen to the WNBA.”

Whether the WNBA can reconcile these internal tensions while maintaining its unprecedented growth remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Caitlin Clark’s impact on the league is undeniable, regardless of how her peers choose to rank her. The question now is whether the WNBA will embrace this transformative moment or allow jealousy to undermine the very success that benefits everyone involved.

As the All-Star Game approaches, all eyes will be on Indianapolis to see if Clark’s peers can set aside their apparent reservations and celebrate the player who has brought unprecedented attention to their sport. For Dick Vitale and millions of fans, the answer to that question will determine whether the WNBA truly appreciates the golden opportunity Clark has provided.