By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER and RUSS WEAKLAND, US SENIOR SHOWBIZ REPORTER
Published: 23:34 BST, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 04:48 BST, 12 August 2026
It's an idea that just won't go away. As Caitlin Clark's meteoric rise continues amid on-court violence, off-court feuds and chaotic refereeing decisions, calls keep coming for her to abandon the WNBA and launch her own league.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was the most recent high-profile figure to float the theory after distinguished author and USA Today columnist Christine Brennan last year said Clark, with lucrative Nike and Gatorade sponsorships worth millions, has all the power necessary to lead a breakaway.
In recent weeks, the WNBA has been engulfed in more drama after 24-year-old Clark's Indiana Fever teammate and close friend Sophie Cunningham advocated for restrictions on transgender inclusion in sports, saying she wants to 'protect young girls' from 'biological men'.
The league has since spiraled into chaos – with fans, coaches and players divided on the trans matter.Â
From conservative activist Riley Gaines attending an Indiana Fever game and clashing with pro-trans protestors, to rival coach Cheryl Reeve wearing a 'Trans Kids Belong' t-shirt on the sidelines, the drama has stolen the spotlight from the court.Â
But when the games begin, things haven't been much better. Clark was urged by Portnoy to 'start your own league' after having a contentious foul called against her when playing the Chicago Sky on Saturday – the latest of multiple incorrect decisions at her expense. The call was dramatically rescinded within hours, clearing Clark to face the New York Liberty on Tuesday, but not before it – rightly – reignited fury.
A source revealed Clark has been 'frustrated to no end' with the drama engulfing the league
Recently, Clark was urged by Barstool boss Dave Portnoy to 'start your own league' after having a contentious technical foul called against her against the Chicago Sky on Saturday
Portnoy took to social media in the aftermath, saying: 'Hey @CaitlinClark22, just go start your own league already. Sick league.'
That same game also produced one of the ugliest flashpoints of the year when Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected after striking Cunningham across the head.Â
Cunningham confronted Carrington and was pulled away by a teammate, before the latter posted 'WHITE PRIVILEGE' on social media and tagged the Fever.
That incident landed on top of an already toxic backdrop of rallies and a raging transgender-eligibility row that has trailed the Fever to city after city. It is that combination of chaos that has fueled calls for Clark to take her talents elsewhere.Â
But a source close to the situation tells the Daily Mail that Clark will not be taking the nuclear option anytime soon.
