In the modern era of professional sports, leverage is everything. For decades, athletes were beholden to their leagues, reliant on them for marketing, exposure, and income. But the script is flipping, and WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark is writing the new rules in real-time. In a move that has reportedly sent panic through the WNBA league offices, Clark has accepted an invitation to participate in Dave Portnoy’s “Internet Invitational” golf tournament—a decision that proves her brand is far bigger than the league she plays in.
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The news comes on the heels of Clark’s wildly successful appearance at the LPGA’s “The Annika” Pro-Am, where she drew record crowds and showcased a genuine passion for the game of golf. Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and a man known for his ability to capture internet attention, was watching closely. Unlike the WNBA, which has been criticized for its slow-footed marketing of its biggest star, Portnoy wasted no time. He extended an invite, and Clark, recognizing the opportunity, said yes.
This is not your average celebrity charity scramble. The “Internet Invitational” is a juggernaut of digital media. Portnoy has boasted that the event pulls in between 20 to 25 million views—numbers that dwarf typical WNBA broadcasts and even rival major televised sporting events. Furthermore, the stakes are being raised to astronomical levels. Portnoy is aiming for a prize pool of $10 million for next year’s iteration. To put that in perspective, the entire salary cap for a WNBA team is a fraction of that amount.
The implications of this acceptance are profound. It signals that Clark understands her value is not tied solely to a basketball court. By aligning herself with a massive independent media event, she is accessing a demographic and a financial tier that the WNBA currently cannot offer. As one analyst noted, “The WNBA fumbles around trying to figure out how to market their biggest star, while Portnoy already locked her in for next year.”
The “panic” described by insiders stems from the realization that the WNBA does not own Caitlin Clark’s celebrity. For two years, the league has been accused of letting Clark take physical beatings on the court while offering lukewarm marketing support. In contrast, outside organizations like the LPGA and Barstool Sports are rolling out the red carpet, treating her like the golden goose she is. They understand that her presence alone guarantees sponsorship, viewership, and engagement.
Portnoy’s strategy was simple: aggressive pursuit and value recognition. “I want her at my event next year,” he decided, and he made it happen. This highlights a glaring competency gap. While the WNBA debates collective bargaining and competitive balance, external actors are offering Clark platforms that match her global superstardom.
Adding another layer to this developing story is the involvement of Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate, Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham, who caddied at the LPGA event, has reportedly caught the “golf bug” as well. On her podcast, she expressed a desire to take the sport more seriously, hinting at a potential “Fever Golf Team” sub-brand emerging. “I think me, her, and Lexi [Hull] are going to go and play a little bit more,” Cunningham said. “It was just a completely different vibe than basketball.”
This organic team bonding and brand building is happening completely outside the WNBA’s purview. It represents a shift where players are creating their own content ecosystems. If Sophie Cunningham, Lexi Hull, and Caitlin Clark begin dominating the celebrity golf circuit, they create a revenue and exposure stream that makes them less dependent on their WNBA contracts. This gives them immense leverage in future negotiations.
Critics who argue that Clark should “focus on basketball” are missing the point of modern athlete management. Playing windows are short, and injuries are unpredictable. The smartest athletes build their empires while the iron is hot. Clark is striking while the world is watching. Golf offers a low-injury risk environment with high-reward potential, both financially and in terms of networking with power brokers.
Moreover, Portnoy’s invitation was not just to Clark; he also extended an invite to Kai Trump, signaling the high-profile, eclectic mix of internet personalities and celebrities he intends to curate. It creates a “must-watch” spectacle that traditional sports leagues struggle to manufacture.
The WNBA now finds itself in a precarious position. Their product is basketball, but their star is a cultural phenomenon whose reach extends everywhere. If the league cannot provide the protection, payment, and promotion that matches what she can get on the open market—even the golf market—they risk becoming a secondary priority in her portfolio.
Caitlin Clark’s “yes” to Dave Portnoy is more than a RSVP to a golf tournament. It is a declaration of independence. It is a statement that she knows what she is worth, and she is willing to partner with those who are willing to pay it. The WNBA has been put on notice: step up, or watch your biggest star shine on someone else’s stage.
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