Riley Gaines: Caitlin Clark’s Abuse Tied to Jealousy, Not Race or Sexuality

Riley Gaines has spoken out about the backlash directed at WNBA star Caitlin Clark, asserting that the criticism is rooted in Clark’s exceptional skills rather than her race or sexual orientation. Gaines believes jealousy among other players contributes to the negative treatment on the court, pointing to a “self-destructive” vibe within the league. She also raises questions about the inconsistent standards applied to various athletes.

In other news, Caitlin Clark helped the Indiana Fever attract an impressive 1.04 million viewers during Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, as noted by USA Sports PR.

Despite the Fever’s loss (106-92), which saw Clark play for only 16 minutes due to a back injury, the viewership numbers are worth highlighting. According to data from Nielsen, this matchup became the most-watched WNBA game in network history and marked the first time a game starting at 10 p.m. ET averaged over 1 million viewers.

Honestly, that’s quite significant. Considering the game aired on USA Network and CNBC, and it wasn’t even a weekend showcase. It’s impressive that it managed to surpass 1 million viewers despite being shown in a less favorable timeslot.

Clark’s opening weekend game against the Dallas Wings garnered 2.49 million viewers on ABC, ranking as the league’s fourth-highest audience since 2000, while her game against the New York Liberty had even better ratings at 2.56 million viewers. These numbers really underscore Clark’s popularity.

The Fever-Sparks game tells an interesting tale as well. Clark’s ability to draw viewers, even during a challenging midweek slot, is noteworthy. Prior to her emergence, the league hadn’t seen a single game average 1 million viewers in nearly 16 years. The last instance was back in 2008 with Candice Parker’s debut. It’s amazing how Clark seems to consistently pull viewers, suggesting that her involvement could easily push numbers past the million mark again.

Although the game itself wasn’t a standout for Clark or the Fever, as she struggled to find her rhythm after her injury, it’s clear that the WNBA is benefiting from increased visibility. Issues remain, but it’s undeniable that Clark remains a primary draw for television audiences.

Interestingly, even games without Clark are performing well. For instance, a match against the Las Vegas Aces averaged 1.55 million viewers, which is a remarkable feat for the league. This indicates that Clark has elevated the Fever’s brand to a level of national recognition that wasn’t there before. It’s not merely about additional viewers for the league; Clark’s success has redefined the Fever as a key television draw.

With the WNBA on the rise, it’s important to note that even non-Fever games are seeing viewership growth, exceeding 700,000 viewers. That’s a significant uptick compared to pre-Clark days. Yet, regardless of the increases in ratings, one constant element emerges every time—Caitlin Clark’s influence.