Caitlin Clark is one of the most polarizing figures in the WNBA. Often regarded as one of the best players in the WNBA, the Iowa Hawkeyes alum has faced plenty of criticism since being drafted into the league in 2024.
Now, former Indiana Hoosiers coach Dan Dakich has criticized the WNBA for failing to make the most of the 24-year-old’s superstar status.
Ex-Indiana HC Believes WNBA Is ‘Fumbling the Bag’ With Caitlin Clark
Clark joined the Indiana Fever as the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She has gone from strength to strength since, earning three All-Star nods and breaking numerous records while becoming one of the league’s most potent scorers and playmakers.
However, the coverage surrounding Clark has received plenty of scrutiny. The Fever star has faced overly aggressive defending from opposition teams, while fellow players ranked her as the 11th-best guard in the WNBA All-Star ballot this year.
For Dakich, the WNBA’s treatment of Clark has been poor despite her superstar status. Clark added that the blame for the WNBA’s struggles does not lie with Sophie Cunningham or Clark, but with the league itself.
“You wanted the attention. You wanted to be a big-girl league. You wanted to put yourself on the same level of other professional leagues across the country. You are now, because of one woman, Caitlin Clark and her popularity… Y’all now are crying about it because you haven’t handled it. Not Sophie Cunningham or Caitlin Clark,” Dakich said on his Outkick show.
“Caitlin Clark was supposed to be the WNBA’s golden ticket. Instead, the league keeps fumbling the bag,” the post was captioned on X.
Clark is in the midst of an impressive season and is leading the WNBA in assists, while being the league’s third-highest scorer. She is averaging 21.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game this season.
However, coverage surrounding the WNBA has been dominated by the trans-athlete debate in recent weeks. Dakich and several other critics have claimed that the WNBA’s failure to nip the situation in the bud is hurting its popularity.
Meanwhile, Clark and the Fever will return to WNBA action on Friday against the Dallas Wings as they aim to bolster their playoff hopes. The Fever are on a two-game winning streak, and Clark will be looking to register another double-double on Friday.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.