A WNBA star has criticized the league for its handling of Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever before the upcoming season.

The WNBA rival revealed her grievances on live television on ESPN’s hit debate program First Take.

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WNBA star Napheesa Collier took issue with the WNBA’s 2025 broadcast schedule live on First Take on TuesdayCredit: ESPN

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Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever’s games will be shown on national TV or streaming services for a record amountCredit: Getty
Last week, it was revealed that the Fever, led by the 2024 Rookie of the Year Clark, would have 41 of their 44 games this campaign televised or made available through streaming.

It’s the biggest national-audience slate in history, as the New York Liberty, last year’s champions, have only 32 nationally televised or streamed games.

Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier, whose team lost to the Liberty in the championship round, called out the league for not putting the spotlight on WNBA’s other stars.

“Obviously, people want to watch Caitlin play, and you have to put the people on TV that people want to see. But at the same time, there are stars all over the league, and you want good basketball as well,” Collier said on Tuesday’s First Take.

“Obviously, Indiana with their free agents will be a great team, but to not have the defending champs on TV more, I think it’s kind of crazy.

“It doesn’t have to be that you’re taking games away from Indiana but I think that you can raise the level of TV games for the rest of the league as well.”

Collier, who’s the co-founder of the new league Unrivaled, did admit that Clark and her stardom deserves plenty of exposure.

But the four-time All-Star wondered why the rest of the league couldn’t get the same acknowledgment.

“I do think Caitlin is a star,” Collier said. “Like I said, people do want to see her. We are in a position where we’re trying to grow the league, you need to out on TV the players that people want to see.

“But I don’t think that’s raising the level of the other teams has to bring down Caitlin or the Indiana Fever.
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“They should have that amount of games on TV on prime time but I also think other teams should have more than what they have.”

The 2024 WNBA Finals between the Liberty and Lynx became the most-watched finals in 25 years.

However, Clark’s popularity was apparent.

Six different league television networks received viewership records for their highest WNBA game, with all involving the 2024 No. 1 overall pick and the Fever, per The Athletic.

This season, the league has expanded its broadcast slate.

Numerous teams have changed their upcoming games from the normal home arenas to bigger capacity venues versus the Fever.

Clark hasn’t commented on Collier’s latest comments.

The NCAA leading scorer Clark and the Fever will take on Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky with their season opener on April 17.

The contest will be aired on ABC.