ESPN Criticizes Voter Who Denied Caitlin Clark Unanimous Rookie of the Year Honors

ESPN recently called out the anonymous voter who prevented Caitlin Clark from being named the unanimous Rookie of the Year, a decision that has sparked outrage among sports fans. Known for her unprecedented impact on the WNBA, many believed that Clark deserved a unanimous vote. However, one voter chose to back Angel Reese instead, which ESPN hosts Andrea Carter and Chinenye Ogwumike found hard to swallow.

During Friday’s WNBA Countdown, the hosts expressed their disbelief over the situation, with Carter remarking, “Hats off to Caitlin—she should have been unanimous, but I’ll stop there.” Meanwhile, Ogwumike didn’t hold back, asserting that Clark’s dominance extended beyond her Rookie of the Year status. “Caitlin Clark is obviously the Rookie of the Year,” she said. She went on to argue that, using the league’s criteria for MVP, Clark should also be considered the most valuable player in the entire WNBA, given her outsized contribution to her team and the league as a whole.

Clark’s influence has been undeniable, from skyrocketing attendance numbers and jersey sales to the WNBA’s quadrupled TV revenue. Her playoff games drew in 1.84 million viewers, while viewer numbers dropped below a million after her team’s elimination. Ogwumike concluded by stating, “It really is that simple—sometimes even ESPN can get it right when they’re being honest.”

This episode further cemented Clark’s role as a standout star, with fans and commentators alike continuing to debate the fairness of the vote.