Angel Reese’s Marketing Stunt Backfires: How Her Attempt to Steal Caitlyn Clark’s Spotlight Fell Flat

Angel Reese, the star player for LSU, has been known for her boldness both on and off the court. From stirring up rivalries to pushing the boundaries of basketball culture, Reese has made a name for herself in the WNBA. However, her latest attempt to take the spotlight in the midst of Caitlyn Clark’s All-Star weekend turned into a public relations disaster that no one could have anticipated. What was meant to be a bold marketing campaign ended up exposing the fragile nature of the WNBA’s stardom and how much the league truly relies on one player: Caitlyn Clark.

The Timing Couldn’t Have Been Worse

The stage was set for an unforgettable weekend. The WNBA All-Star weekend in Indianapolis was going to feature the highly anticipated Clark vs. Reese rivalry. Fans were buzzing about what would unfold between these two stars, and corporations were gearing up for record-breaking views and excitement. But just days before the event, a major blow struck the WNBA: Caitlyn Clark, the league’s biggest star, was sidelined with a groin injury. This was a massive setback for the event and the league.

Clark’s injury led to a dramatic drop in ticket prices—by 48%—as fans who had bought tickets solely to see her play lost interest in attending the event. What was supposed to be the most expensive All-Star game in history with an average price of $262, now saw prices drop to as low as $64 within hours of the news breaking. Fans who had made arrangements to attend the event specifically to see Clark were now bailing on the weekend, causing a financial disaster for the league, the vendors, and the city of Indianapolis. But in the middle of this, Angel Reese made a move that would make the weekend even more uncomfortable.

The Reebok Launch in Clark’s Hometown

Amidst Clark’s absence, Reese seized the moment to launch her Reebok signature shoe in Indianapolis. Her campaign, complete with billboards, social media pushes, and bold messaging, was designed to establish her presence in Clark’s hometown and stake her claim in the women’s basketball scene. Reese, ever the marketer, plastered the message “Walk in your trap. Take over your trap” all over Indianapolis, effectively drawing attention to herself while Clark was out with her injury.

However, Reese’s attempt to promote herself by capitalizing on the absence of her biggest rival was not well-received by fans. Many viewed the timing of the campaign as opportunistic and classless, especially considering the circumstances. While Clark, the heart of the event, was dealing with an injury and disappointing fans, Reese chose to launch her campaign with aggressive messaging that many saw as disrespectful. It didn’t help that there were only about 15 fans present at the shoe’s promotional event in Indianapolis, making the campaign feel more like a hollow stunt than a legitimate promotion.

The One-Sided Rivalry: Reese Clings to Clark’s Spotlight

There’s no denying Angel Reese’s talent, but her marketing strategy revealed a deeper issue: a one-sided rivalry with Caitlyn Clark that has been largely fueled by Reese herself. Over the past few months, Reese has repeatedly attached herself to Clark’s name, using their rivalry to build her own brand. Whether it was through her podcast, social media posts, or now her shoe campaign, Reese has consistently made Clark the centerpiece of her personal marketing efforts.

This isn’t necessarily a bad strategy, as rivalries sell—just look at how major sports leagues thrive on fierce competition. But what makes this rivalry feel forced is that it’s not truly reciprocal. Clark, on the other hand, has remained focused on her own career and hasn’t used Reese’s name for self-promotion. She’s been busy setting records and putting up impressive numbers on the court, like her 31-point, 12-assist game, a feat no other player in WNBA history had ever accomplished. Despite this, Reese seemed determined to push the rivalry forward, even when it was clear that Clark wasn’t actively engaging in it.

Reese’s decision to promote her shoe campaign in Indianapolis while Clark was sidelined felt less like a natural competitive move and more like a calculated attempt to seize a spotlight that was never really hers to take. Instead of focusing on her own growth, Reese was trying to claim victory over an absent opponent, an act that many fans found opportunistic and tone-deaf.

The Backlash: Fans Not Having It

The negative reactions were swift and widespread. On social media, fans quickly criticized Reese’s campaign. Some called it an act of desperation, while others simply found it distasteful. Given that Clark had been sidelined with a legitimate injury, fans felt that Reese’s constant shots at Clark—especially during her time of vulnerability—were out of line. It wasn’t just a missed opportunity for Reese to show respect for her rival; it also exposed the lack of maturity in handling such a high-profile moment.

The fans, who had once been excited about the rivalry, now found themselves torn. They were disappointed in Reese’s marketing stunt, which seemed more about exploiting Clark’s injury than celebrating the future of women’s basketball. A rivalry can be thrilling, but it must be built on mutual respect and competition—not opportunism.

The Economic Impact of Clark’s Absence

The effects of Clark’s injury extended far beyond ticket sales. Local businesses in Indianapolis had expected a boom in sales during the All-Star weekend, but with Clark absent, the crowds thinned, and sales took a hit. Hotels, restaurants, and vendors all suffered from the lack of foot traffic that was originally anticipated from the influx of fans who had come to see Clark play.

More than just the All-Star game, the entire economic ecosystem surrounding the event faltered. Local businesses, many of which had prepared for months, were left with unsold merchandise, empty tables, and canceled reservations. It became clear how much the WNBA’s success was tied to Clark’s star power. Without her, the entire weekend felt flat, and the hype surrounding the event dissipated.

The Harsh Reality of the WNBA’s Dependence on Clark

Reese’s marketing campaign wasn’t the only thing that backfired during the All-Star weekend. The biggest lesson learned was just how much the WNBA depends on Caitlyn Clark. Her presence has become synonymous with the league’s growing popularity, and without her, the numbers don’t lie. Ticket prices crashed, fan interest waned, and the entire event lost its luster. Clark’s injury wasn’t just a blow to the All-Star weekend; it was a stark reminder that the WNBA still has a long way to go in terms of sustaining interest and revenue without its brightest star.

While Reese may have gained some attention through her bold campaign, the reality is that no amount of marketing stunts can replace the magnetic pull of a player like Caitlyn Clark. As the WNBA continues to grow, it must learn how to nurture a broader base of stars—not just one—and ensure that the league’s success isn’t so tightly tied to the health and availability of a single player.

The Future of the WNBA: Will It Learn from This?

As the dust settles on what was supposed to be a groundbreaking All-Star weekend, the WNBA faces a critical question: Will it learn from this experience and diversify its marketing and star-building efforts? For now, the league has to acknowledge that while Caitlyn Clark is undoubtedly its biggest draw, her absence exposed some serious gaps in the WNBA’s ability to generate sustained excitement without her. Angel Reese may have tried to capitalize on the situation, but the numbers—and the fans—have spoken. Until the WNBA can figure out how to build a more resilient and multifaceted brand, it may continue to find itself in the shadow of one player’s success.