Guard Ranked 9th?! 😱

Dick Vitale Slams WNBA Voting After Caitlin Clark Gets Snubbed — “Pure Jealousy,” He Says as Rookies Carry the League

I’ve got to get this off my chest because it feels like the sports world just dropped a bomb of shocking drama, and I’m still trying to process it. Picture a packed basketball arena, pure excitement in the air—fans chanting “Caitlin! Caitlin!” lights glowing, jerseys waving. In the middle of it all, Caitlin Clark is in her element—commanding the floor, hitting threes, dishing assists, making every moment feel electric. Yet behind the scenes, a storm is brewing, and the lightning bolt is the recent WNBA player vote for the upcoming All-Star Game.

Here’s what happened: Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever rookie who’s basically become the face of women’s basketball, got absolutely snubbed by her fellow players. They ranked her only the ninth-best guard. Yes, you read that right—ninth! Ninth among guards. For someone who just cranked out a triple-double, led the league in rookie of the year buzz, and fueled record-setting fan turnout, that’s a gut punch. But here’s where things really exploded: ESPN legend Dick Vitale erupted on social media, blasting the vote as nothing short of “pure jealousy.”

It is ABSURD the way that a # of players in the @WNBA have treated @CaitlinClark22 !So sad but I bet they love the CHARTER FLIGHTS -the increase in SALARIES – the CROWDS -the TV Ratings since she arrived from @IowaWBB . No doubt she is THE BEST – thing to happen to the WNBA .

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 1, 2025

Let’s rewind a bit. Clark isn’t just another rookie. She’s the first overall pick from the 2024 draft, already a two-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and has shattered franchise records. Her arrival packed stadiums, boosted TV ratings, sparked record merchandise sales, and even charters for team travel. She is the kind of star you dream of in a rookie season—impact so big it’s unstoppable.

So when the WNBA revealed the breakdown—fans gave her 1.29 million votes (the most in league history), media placed her third among guards, but players sunk her to ninth—it sent shockwaves. The official system weights fans at 50%, media at 25%, and players at 25%, so that ninth-place player vote hurt her ranking heavily. Media outlets say she ended up second overall among guards only because the massive fan support pulled her back up.

Caitlin Clark got 1.29 MILLION All-Star game votes – SMASHING her own WNBA record from last year (700,735) 🤯

She has also been named as a First-Time All-Star Captain 🌟

The record-breaking continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TusQVT2JH0

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) June 30, 2025

That’s when Dick Vitale, who watches every game with that classic, fiery energy, couldn’t hold back. On July 1, he took to X, writing:

“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that @WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard. Some day they will realize what she has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Charted planes – increase in salaries – sold out crowds – improved TV Ratings.”

Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that ⁦@WNBA⁩ players voted Caitlin Clark the 9 th best guard . Some day they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA . Charted planes – increase in salaries-sold out crowds – improved TV Ratings https://t.co/TwGj1DtQMU

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 1, 2025

In just one tweet, Vitale poured his heart out. He was angry—angry that players would overlook the clear transformational power Clark has brought to the entire league. He mentioned charter flights, rising paychecks, packed arenas, and boosted TV ratings—all tangible wins linked to Clark’s presence. He wasn’t just defending her; he was defending the future of the league she’s igniting.

Fans and media didn’t hold back either. One X user, former NFLer Robert Griffin III, chimed in with: “The players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th BEST GUARD?!?! Stop hating.” The backlash was unapologetic, calling the player vote “a joke,” “outrageous,” and “hate in disguise.”

Now, is Vitale overreacting? Maybe. But he’s striking a chord that a lot of us are feeling. Look closer: this vote isn’t just about one roster. It’s about a generation shift, about how long-standing players view a whirlwind rookie whose spotlight is bigger than most veterans’. It’s about a clash—old guard vs. new guard.

That’s not to say Clark’s perfect. Stats show she’s had some struggles—hovering around 29.5% from three this season, dealing with a few injuries, and missing a chunk of games. Vitale isn’t blind to that. He’s basing it mostly on her overall impact, and frankly, so is the fanbase. Clark draws a level of attention that could raise every player’s profile.

Here’s what makes this all so electric: Clark already snagged an All-Star captain spot based on fan votes. She led the pack with 1.29 million votes—more than anyone in league history. The media backed her too, placing her third. But players? They ranked her ninth. That ranking by players suggests something deeper—maybe they don’t see her as elite, maybe they think her stats aren’t enough, maybe they’re protective of the turf, maybe they’re just fed up with the hype. Whatever the reason, Vitale calls it what it is: jealousy.

The fire gets hotter when you think of what he spelled out: charter flights, salaries, crowds, TV. Those aren’t small things. Those are league-wide improvements—improvements that help the brand, players’ paychecks, and future stars. Clark didn’t come in and just rack up numbers. She’s dragging the entire league into a new era.

So now you’ve got this emotional storyline: an iconic sports announcer going “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS??” a rookie superstar shattering every record, and a group of professionals seemingly tossing her under the bus. The headlines practically write themselves.

What happens next? The WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for July 19 in Indianapolis, with Clark drafting her team on July 8. She’s locked in, captain status secured. Vitale’s tweet blew up—it hit half a million views in just a couple hours, with hundreds of reactions pouring in across platforms.

Now, let’s peel back and get human for a second. I saw that picture of Clark cheering midgame, and all I could think was: here’s someone who’s loving every second of it. She’s not perfect, but she’s present—and she’s pulling everyone in. And then I saw Vitale’s tweet and thought: there it is. The old guard’s resistance, the generational roar, the moment where the torch passes—whether they like it or not.

That’s real sports drama. That’s real people changing a real league, caught in raw emotion and real consequences. Caitlin Clark is the lightning in the bottle, and Vitale just called out the dark clouds of resistance. Whether you love her or not, you’ve got to admit it’s exhilarating to watch.

Is the player vote fair? Sure—it’s part of the process. But is it smart to overlook someone like Clark when her ripple effect touches everyone else’s paycheck and legacy? That’s the question Vitale asked, and honestly, I think that’s why his words are echoing so loud. He’s not just defending one player. He’s defending a vision of the future—one that’s brighter, bigger, and more inclusive. Jealousy or wisdom? That’s up to each person to decide.

But I do know this: I can’t wait to see how Clark plays in July. I’m wired up knowing Vitale’s watching, fans are watching, and Clark’s going in—with everything to prove. That All-Star game isn’t just a game anymore. It’s a full-on statement.

And I’m here for it.