The WNBA is in the midst of an unexpected drama, and it involves some of the league’s brightest stars. The source of the tension? The Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation, Caitlin Clark, securing the most nationally televised games in the league this season. To make matters more intense, Clark’s rise has sparked a feud that has left some players, including A’Ja Wilson, furious.

The WNBA has never been as hot as it is right now. Indiana Fever games are selling out faster than Beyoncé concert tickets, ESPN is adding WNBA slots to its schedule, and social media is flooded with clips, highlights, and debates about Caitlin Clark’s game. But amidst all this excitement, some bitter veterans and long-time fans of the league are not exactly thrilled with the sudden surge in attention.

Clark, who has captivated millions of new fans with her talent and charm, is now the face of the WNBA’s revival. Yet, some fans—led by veterans like Wilson—are upset, feeling that Clark’s newfound spotlight is coming at the expense of other players, particularly those who’ve carried the league for years.

The conflict has boiled over to a point where some WNBA fans are actively calling for a boycott of Indiana Fever games, aiming to reduce Clark’s national TV airtime. In fact, Clark has been booked for 41 nationally televised games this season—more than anyone else in the league—and that’s got some of the veteran players fuming. It’s not just casual fans either—some of these boycott cheerleaders have ties to the media circles within the WNBA, which makes their attempts at sabotaging ratings even more alarming.

The calls for protest seem almost absurd in a league that’s been struggling for recognition for years. But instead of celebrating the massive surge in viewership, a vocal minority of fans and players are treating this success as a threat. They are upset that Clark, a rookie, is stealing the show. The truth is, the surge in viewership isn’t just benefiting Clark; it’s benefiting the entire league, and that means more money, more attention, and more opportunities for all players, including A’Ja Wilson.

While Caitlin Clark is shattering viewership records and selling out arenas, A’Ja Wilson has been more vocal on social media. Instead of basking in the wave of attention that Clark has helped generate, Wilson has been posting passive-aggressive tweets and throwing shade at the rookie. It’s almost as if she’s competing with Clark for the spotlight, rather than embracing the attention that the league as a whole is receiving.

This kind of response is surprising, especially from a player as accomplished as Wilson, who has won multiple MVPs. You would think someone with her success would be secure in her position. But instead, it’s clear that she’s not used to sharing the spotlight. The jealousy is palpable, and it’s hard to ignore the fact that this goes beyond basketball—it feels personal.

Wilson’s frustration also seems to stem from a long-standing perception in the WNBA that veteran players like her are the ones who have carried the league through tough times. And now, with Clark’s arrival, it feels as though the rookie is suddenly redefining what it means to be a basketball star.