Caitlin Clark Snubbed in Player Voting for WNBA All-Star Game — Fans Erupt in Outrage as Fever Star Misses Commissioner’s Cup Final Due to Injury
The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events in the league’s history — but not for all the right reasons. This week, Caitlin Clark fans have taken to social media and in-person arenas to voice their frustration after the Indiana Fever rookie sensation received a surprisingly low ranking in player voting, despite dominating fan ballots and drawing unprecedented attention to the league. The controversy has erupted just as the Fever prepare to battle the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup Final — and they’ll have to do it without Clark, who’s sidelined with a nagging groin injury.
It’s been a rollercoaster week for one of the most talked-about athletes in all of women’s sports.
Caitlin Clark Tops Fan Votes, But Player Votes Tell a Different Story
When the WNBA unveiled the full All-Star rosters on June 30, fans were eager to see which of their favorite stars would represent the league’s best in the midseason showcase. Headlining the announcement were the two All-Star captains: Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever — both chosen by fan voting.
Caitlin Clark, arguably the most high-profile name in the league this season, led all players in fan votes. Her impact has been undeniable — from sold-out arenas to record-breaking television ratings, Clark has singlehandedly helped push the WNBA into mainstream conversations in ways few thought possible.
She also ranked third in media votes.
Caitlin Clark in uniform and a fan with a sign (Photos via Twitter and USA Today)
Yet, despite her dominance in two-thirds of the voting formula, the player votes — which account for 25% of the final tally — told a much different story. Clark ranked an astonishing ninth among guards, trailing not just rival stars like Arike Ogunbowale and Chelsea Gray, but also her own Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell, who outpaced Clark in player support.
This disparity tanked Clark’s overall weighted score, preventing her from securing a top guard spot. That honor instead went to UConn standout and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, who captured the highest weighted average among guards — despite Clark’s superior fan and media rankings.
Fans Explode Online — and In the Arena
The news sent shockwaves through Caitlin Clark’s massive and passionate fanbase.
Social media platforms were immediately flooded with outrage. On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #WNBAAllStarSnub trended for hours as fans questioned whether player jealousy, generational tension, or even hidden agendas may have played a role in her surprisingly low peer ranking.
But the backlash didn’t stay confined to online chatter.
On Tuesday night, the only WNBA game on the schedule was a high-stakes showdown — the Commissioner’s Cup Championship between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx, held at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Even with Clark unavailable due to injury, her presence loomed large. Fans arrived decked out in her No. 22 jersey, carrying handmade signs and letting their voices be heard.
One fan in the crowd went viral after holding up a brutal sign that read:
“9th in your player rankings, but 1st in your nightmare.”
The message, bold and sharp, captured the feeling shared by many: that some current players may resent Clark’s rapid rise — and the influence she now wields.
The Groin Injury That Benched a Star
Adding insult to injury — or, rather, injury to insult — Caitlin Clark was officially ruled out of Tuesday night’s Commissioner’s Cup Final due to a left groin strain that has now kept her sidelined for three consecutive games.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Not only is the Fever competing for a piece of the Cup’s six-figure prize pool, but Clark’s absence removes one of the league’s biggest draws in its only game of the night.
Footage showed Clark arriving at the arena dressed casually, walking with a slight limp but still smiling and engaging with fans. She sat courtside to support her teammates, clearly invested in the moment, even if she couldn’t participate on the floor.
“The best thing she can do for them is cheer them on,” one broadcaster noted — and that’s exactly what she did.
Clark’s Absence Felt on the Court and in the Spotlight
Without their star floor general, the Indiana Fever faced an uphill battle. Clark isn’t just their leading scorer — she’s the team’s emotional center, the primary ball-handler, and the player opposing defenses plan for first. Her court vision, long-range shooting, and passing instincts transform the Fever’s offense into a fluid machine. Without her, the gears tend to grind.
Beyond the tactical implications, there’s the business side. The Commissioner’s Cup is meant to showcase the WNBA’s elite talent and attract viewers. And in 2025, Caitlin Clark is the WNBA’s biggest star. Her absence from the court — and from the All-Star starter list — left many wondering what the league is prioritizing: performance and growth, or politics and pecking order?
Caitlin Clark (Grace Smith/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
A Pattern of Disrespect?
This All-Star snub isn’t the first time Clark’s treatment by the league has raised eyebrows.
Earlier in the season, she received a technical foul for slapping the backboard in frustration — a call many deemed excessive. Meanwhile, veteran players with much more animated outbursts have often avoided such penalties. Clark has also been on the receiving end of hard fouls, dismissive press comments, and now, lukewarm peer recognition — all in her rookie season.
Some have chalked it up to “rookie hazing.” Others suspect deeper motives. Is Clark simply being held to a different standard because of her fame, race, or impact on the league’s brand?
“It feels like they want to take her down a peg,” one fan tweeted. “And they don’t even realize they’re biting the hand that feeds them.”
The Rookie Who Changed the Game
There’s no denying Caitlin Clark’s effect on the WNBA.
Since her arrival, attendance has skyrocketed. Merchandise sales are booming. Media coverage has intensified. Her games are appointment viewing. Even the casual sports fan knows her name — a feat very few WNBA players have ever achieved.
She’s brought college fans, new viewers, and corporate sponsors to the table. She’s been a ratings juggernaut. And yet, the league seems unsure how to embrace her. While the NBA has historically celebrated its phenoms (think LeBron, Zion, Victor Wembanyama), the WNBA appears hesitant — or perhaps conflicted — about placing Clark front and center.
What Comes Next?
Despite her absence from the Commissioner’s Cup Final and the All-Star starting lineup, Clark’s journey is far from over.
Assuming her groin injury heals in time, she’ll still be eligible to participate in the All-Star festivities — albeit not as a starter. That in itself is baffling to many, considering she led all players in fan votes. Her popularity isn’t just a trend. It’s a turning point.
And while the players may have voted her ninth among guards, fans have made it clear: Caitlin Clark is first in their hearts.
As the WNBA navigates this unprecedented spotlight, one thing is certain — the story of Caitlin Clark is still being written. But whether the league chooses to fully embrace her or not, her presence is already reshaping its future.
The fans are watching.
And they’re not staying silent.
Final Thoughts:
Caitlin Clark’s All-Star snub has stirred deep emotions — not just about her role in the WNBA, but about what the league values. Is it unity, growth, and fandom? Or politics, hierarchy, and tradition? In the end, fans have spoken — and they’ve spoken loudly. They’re not just watching Clark… they’re standing with her.
And if the league hopes to keep those fans around, it might want to start listening.
