WNBA icon Sue Bird has spoken out about the differing standards between men’s and women’s sports after rising star Caitlin Clark suffered a quad injury, highlighting how fan expectations and league treatment seem inconsistent.
Clark, who has become a household name since her record-breaking college career at Iowa, was the top pick in the WNBA Draft and has sparked massive interest in Indiana Fever games. Many of the team’s away matches have even been moved to larger venues to accommodate a surge in attendance.
Bird Pushes Back on Refund Demands After Injury
During a recent episode of her podcast A Touch More, Bird expressed concern over suggestions that fans should be reimbursed for tickets due to Clark’s temporary absence.
“Injuries are just part of sports,” Bird explained. “Yes, it’s unfortunate if someone buys a ticket and their favorite player isn’t on the court—but you wouldn’t hear that conversation in the NBA.”
Bird argued that if stars like LeBron James or Steph Curry missed games due to injury, the league wouldn’t consider giving fans their money back. To her, the refund debate sends the wrong message about the legitimacy of the WNBA as a professional league.
Supporting the WNBA Means Supporting Caitlin
Bird emphasized that Clark’s impact on the sport is tied to the overall growth and sustainability of the WNBA.
“I get that people are disappointed if Caitlin isn’t playing,” she said. “But by not showing up, you’re actually doing her a disservice. Supporting the league is supporting Caitlin. She’s part of the ecosystem. You can’t separate the two.”
Clark’s Absence and Fever’s Adjustment
Clark suffered a quad strain during a May 24 loss to the New York Liberty and was expected to be out for at least two weeks. Her absence came during a rough stretch for the Fever, who lost back-to-back games without her, as well as guards Sydney Colson and Sophie Cunningham, who were also unavailable.
However, the team snapped their losing streak with an 85–76 win over the Washington Mystics. The victory was aided by Aari McDonald, who was signed under the emergency hardship exemption due to Indiana having fewer than 10 active players. McDonald, a former No. 3 overall pick in 2021, contributed with seven points, five assists, and three steals in 27 minutes.
A Silver Lining: Growth Opportunities
Fever head coach Stephanie White praised McDonald’s effort and described her as having a “point guard mindset” and being a defensive asset.
“She’s hungry. She knows how to play. And defensively, she’s just a dog—we needed that,” White said after the win.
White also believes Clark’s time away from the court could help her long-term development.
“These early injuries give us a chance to test our depth and see who can step up,” she said. “It also gives Caitlin a new view of the game. Watching from the sidelines can really accelerate her growth and understanding of the team and strategy.”
White noted that players grow at different paces—whether in year one or year ten—and that seeing the game from multiple perspectives, including that of a coach, can be transformative.