Caitlin Clark has broken another WNBA record as her season finale with the Indiana Fever averaged 2.5 million viewers, the highest in league history.

The Fever exited the WNBA Playoffs at the first-round stage after being swept by the Connecticut Sun, but fans were keen to see Clark complete her rookie season. It’s yet another indication of the scale of growth the WNBA has experienced since Clark entered the league, although the increase in viewers has led to controversy.

Clark’s loyal fans have been accused of hate speech on social media, with her main rival, Angel Reese, admitting she’s received racial messages and death threats. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has also been subject to major backlash online after being forced to apologize for her comments on league rivalries.

After Reese spoke out about the abuse she’d received online, Engelbert said on CNBC that “you need rivalry” in sports and told players to “ignore” nasty messages online. Engelbert then sent a message to WNBA players after admitting she didn’t address the situation in a more thoughtful manner.

“I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I’m sorry,” Engelbert wrote in a message to WNBA players obtained by ESPN. “I regret that I didn’t express, in a clear and definitive way, condemnation of the hateful speech that is all too often directed at WNBA players on social media.

Her message later read: “I should have stated directly and unequivocally that hate speech is harmful. This is a teachable moment and one I embrace with humility. There is absolutely no room for racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere.

“I know many of you have been dealing with it for a long time. I want us as a league to do our part to change the too often toxic and abusive nature of social media discourse.”

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert apologized for her interview on hate speech.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert apologized for her interview on hate speech. ( 

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Getty Images)

Clark has become the face of the WNBA within her rookie season, after leaving Iowa as the all-time points scorer in NCAA history. She has become a role model around the world as one of the leading figures in women’s sports and has earned the respect of NBA icon LeBron James.

“I have a great deal of respect for Caitlin Clark, because I know exactly what it means to be drafted, be the face of a franchise, and also get the scrutiny from a lot of people that don’t believe you’re ready for the next jump, don’t believe you’re ready for the big leagues, and just don’t think that you belong,” James told Esquire. “And I remember that when I came into the league at eighteen years old how many people doubted me and hoped and prayed that I’d fail.

“And so, me watching Caitlin and seeing what she’s doing, I’ve been in support of her since day one, because I remember myself going through that, and she has my support 100 percent. She’s a transcendent player. And obviously, we all saw that at Iowa, and I knew that it would translate to the big leagues. And she’s an unbelievable talent. It’s great to watch.”