NEW YORK — The business of sports has a new queen, and she hasn’t even celebrated her 25th birthday yet. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the athletic and corporate worlds alike, Forbes has released its 2025 “Most Powerful Women in Sports” list, and the rankings have firmly established a new hierarchy in the WNBA.

Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever sensation, has landed at a stunning number four. She isn’t just ranked among other athletes; she is sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with team owners, Fortune 500 executives, and billionaires. However, while Clark ascends to the stratosphere of sports business, her collegiate and professional rival, Angel Reese, was notably absent from the list entirely—a snub that has reportedly reignited tensions and sparked a fresh wave of controversy.

The $8.1 Million Empire

To understand the magnitude of this ranking, one must look at the financials. In her rookie season alone, Caitlin Clark pulled in an eye-watering $8.1 million. To put that into perspective, her actual WNBA salary was a mere $70,000.

This means Clark earned roughly 115 times her basketball paycheck through off-court dominance. While veteran players like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi spent decades grinding to build their wealth, Clark has eclipsed many of their career earnings in a single year. Her portfolio reads less like a rookie roster and more like a CEO’s ledger: a signature shoe deal with Nike that treats her like Michael Jordan, a strategic partnership with Gatorade, and a landmark equipment deal with Wilson.

Forbes didn’t rank her based on jump shots or assists. They utilized specific criteria focused on “pure business power”—the ability to drive revenue, influence media deals, and move markets. The publication recognized that Clark operates as her own economic ecosystem. There are entire WNBA franchises currently valued at less than what this 23-year-old generated in twelve months.

A Tale of Two Stars: The “Jealousy” Narrative

While Clark’s camp celebrates, the mood is reportedly far different elsewhere. Sources suggest that Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky standout who has been inextricably linked to Clark since their college battles, is “furious” over the exclusion.

The narrative of rivalry—and potential resentment—has followed the two since LSU defeated Iowa in the NCAA tournament. Critics have long pointed to a pattern where Reese’s major announcements seem suspiciously timed to coincide with Clark’s achievements. When Clark signed with Gatorade, Reese announced a beverage partnership. When Clark’s Nike deal made headlines, Reese pushed her Reebok collaboration.

However, the market has responded differently to each. While Clark’s organic popularity has led to sold-out arenas and merchandise flying off shelves, analysts point out that Reese’s endorsements often feel like an attempt to play catch-up. The Forbes list seems to be the final affirmation of what the financial data has shown all along: Clark is competing with business moguls, while Reese is still competing for basketball recognition.

The “Clark Effect” by the Numbers

The decision by Forbes wasn’t subjective; it was backed by cold, hard data. The magazine highlighted the “Clark Effect” as a measurable economic phenomenon. When Clark visits an opposing arena, ticket prices jump by an average of 93%. When she posts on social media, engagement numbers explode.

Perhaps the most damning evidence of her singular value came when she was absent. When an injury forced Clark to miss the WNBA All-Star festivities, the league learned a harsh lesson. Ticket prices for the event plummeted by 48% overnight, dropping from premium pricing to desperate sell-offs. Viewership for the game tanked by 36%, with over a million fewer people tuning in compared to when Clark is on the floor.

The data revealed that Clark drove a staggering 26.5% of the WNBA’s total economic activity in her debut season. She didn’t just contribute to the growth; she carried it on her shoulders.

Competing in a Different League

The implications of this ranking extend far beyond the court. By placing Clark at number four, Forbes has signaled that the era of the traditional female athlete is evolving. Clark is no longer just a basketball player; she is a business empire disguised as a point guard.

For players like Angel Reese, who have fought hard for respect and visibility, this reality is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow. The “jealousy” that insiders speak of may be rooted in a harsh economic truth: The market has chosen its superstar.

While other players fight for roster spots and traditional endorsements, Caitlin Clark is rewriting the rules of engagement. She has proved that a female athlete can drive viewership, sell out stadiums, and command eight-figure business deals in her rookie year. As the dust settles on this latest ranking, one thing is clear: It’s Caitlin Clark’s world, and everyone else is just playing in it.