Forbes may have just made the single most baffling, tone-deaf, self-inflicted mistake in the modern era of sports media — and the backlash is unlike anything they’ve ever faced. In a move so absurd that fans had to reread the list twice to make sure it wasn’t satire, the newest Forbes 30 Under 30: Sports lineup somehow excluded Caitlin Clark, the most culturally dominant athlete women’s basketball has ever seen.
Instead of the woman who shattered attendance records, supercharged TV ratings, and rewrote the economic blueprint of the WNBA, Forbes elevated Paige Bueckers — a player who hasn’t logged one single professional minute — and A’ja Boston, a solid rising star but nowhere near the cultural force Clark has been.
And just like that, Forbes walked straight into the largest landmine in women’s sports discourse.
Within minutes, the internet was ablaze with disbelief. Fans, analysts, journalists, and even casual observers locked in on one burning question:
How do you leave Caitlin Clark — the literal engine of the WNBA boom — off a list supposedly built on influence?
The 30 Under 30 List: Supposed to Celebrate Impact… Not Fantasy Predictions
Every year, Forbes markets this list as a curated showcase of the most impactful, innovative, and culturally relevant individuals under the age of 30. It’s meant to highlight people who are reshaping their industries right now.
By that definition, leaving Clark out isn’t just a mistake — it’s delusion.
This is the athlete who:
- Drew record-breaking viewership to both college and the WNBA
- Triggered sellouts in every arena she played in
- Generated millions in revenue for the league
- Set the WNBA’s single-season assist record as a rookie
- Led the Fever to their first playoff appearance in eight years
- Won Rookie of the Year
- Dominated All-Star voting
- Landed massive sponsorships
- Became a cultural household name
But apparently… none of that was enough.
Instead, Forbes chose to spotlight:
Paige Bueckers — undeniably talented but still unproven at the pro level.
Aaliyah Boston — strong and reliable, but whose visibility skyrocketed because she shares the court with Clark.
And the public saw right through it.
Fans Erupt: “Where Is Caitlin Clark?”
When the Fever posted a congratulatory message for Boston, fans absolutely unloaded in the comments:
“How is Caitlin not on this list?”
“This makes zero sense.”
“Is Forbes blind?”
Meanwhile, Forbes — usually quick to brag about their selection criteria — has stayed eerily silent, only amplifying the suspicion.
And speaking of suspicion…
Is Forbes Trying to Manufacture a “Caitlin Clark Replacement”?
One theory exploded across social media:
Forbes is actively trying to push Paige Bueckers as the next big thing, even before she’s proven anything in the WNBA.
This doesn’t just insult Clark — it insults Paige.
Paige doesn’t need artificial narrative pushes. She’s good enough to succeed on her own timeline. But Forbes choosing “potential” over actual, historic, real-world impact? That’s not journalism. That’s agenda.
And it gets worse.
Aaliyah Boston: Benefiting From the Caitlin Effect
Boston is a rising star — but let’s be honest:
If she were on a team without Caitlin Clark,
she would not be on this Forbes list.
The Fever’s playoff push happened because of Clark.
The media frenzy existed because of Clark.
The national attention, sold-out arenas, viral clips — all of it — because of Clark.
Boston capitalized on the spotlight, yes. But she didn’t create it.
Forbes Recognized Clark Last Year… But Not Now?
Here’s where it gets truly bizarre:
Forbes included Clark in last year’s 30 Under 30 while she was still in college.
So let’s get this straight:
✔ College Clark = worthy
✘ Record-shattering professional Clark = not worthy
Make it make sense.
Forbes can’t even hide behind the excuse of “not repeating athletes,” because they do exactly that in other sports categories.
This wasn’t an oversight.
This wasn’t policy.
This was intentional.
The Internet’s Verdict: This Was a Targeted Snub
And the public isn’t holding back.
Analysts are openly grilling Forbes.
Fans are calling it embarrassing and desperate.
Creators are making videos breaking down the absurdity.
Journalists are openly questioning the credibility of the 30 Under 30 brand.
Even people who barely follow women’s basketball said the same thing:
“Even I know Caitlin Clark should be on this list.”
When casual fans know your mistake…
you’ve really messed up.
Forbes Wanted Attention — and Got the Wrong Kind
The 30 Under 30 list relies on publicity.
Well, congratulations.
Forbes just got:
- The most backlash they’ve faced in years
- A global conversation centered on their incompetence, not their selections
- A massive public relations nightmare
- Tens of thousands of comments roasting them
Instead of being celebrated as tastemakers, they’re being dragged as out of touch and brazenly biased.
That’s karma — in real time.
Caitlin Clark Now Has Even More Motivation
If Forbes thought this stunt would quiet the momentum around Caitlin Clark, they miscalculated badly.
This snub just gave Clark:
- A new narrative
- A new chip on her shoulder
- A new reason to dominate next season
She didn’t complain.
She didn’t need to.
The entire sports world is doing that for her.
Forbes Tried to Rewrite the Future — And Failed
Paige Bueckers may very well become a superstar.
Aaliyah Boston may continue rising.
Nneka Ogwumike deserved her spot — she’s earned it for years.
But Caitlin Clark?
She is the present.
She is the impact.
She is the economic engine of women’s basketball.
Snubbing her doesn’t make her smaller.
It only exposes the publication that tried to pretend she doesn’t matter.
And Forbes will be answering for this one for a very, very long time.
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