Caitlin Clark is preparing for her third season with the Indiana Fever after a disrupted 2025 campaign that limited her time on the court.
Clark’s second WNBA season was impacted by multiple injuries. The 2024 Rookie of the Year suffered a left quadriceps strain in May, later dealt with groin injuries on multiple occasions, including a right groin strain that ended her season in July, and also battled a left ankle bone bruise during recovery. She appeared in just 13 games before being shut down.
Despite the shortened season, anticipation around her return remains high because she remains one of the league’s biggest draws heading into 2026.
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As Clark ramps up for the new season, she made headlines off the court due to a situation involving Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy.
Portnoy claimed Clark had blocked his number, raising questions about the state of their relationship given his long-standing public support of her. He has consistently backed Clark dating back to her time with Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball, where she became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and elevated the program’s national profile.
However, he clarified the situation on Monday during an episode of “Stock Up, Stock Down.”
“Breaking News: Caitlin Clark has responded,” Portnoy said, as he revealed his recent text conversation with the 24-year-old star. “I said ‘testing, am I blocked?’ She said ‘Yes crying emoji laughing’ and then ‘no laugh out loud, I think you sent that text when I was flying.’”
The situation stemmed from comments Portnoy made about Iowa basketball and figures connected to the program. He was critical of elements around the team and later described being pulled into an uncomfortable exchange involving the McCaffery family, including Connor McCaffery, Clark’s boyfriend. That interaction allegedly led to a breakdown in communication, prompting Portnoy to believe he had been blocked.
However, the recent exchange confirmed there was no fallout between the two, and both parties remain on good terms.
