Dave Portnoy and Caitlin ClarkDave Portnoy and Caitlin Clark (Photos via Imagn Images)
Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy has called out folks claiming Caitlin Clark’s popularity is primarily due to her skin color following the culmination of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Paige Bueckers and the UConn Huskies are the new champions after a dominant performance over former champions, the South Carolina Gamecocks.

But not all women’s finals are created equal. Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes played South Carolina in last year’s National Championship game, and 18.9 people tuned in. Bueckers played the same opponent in 2025, attracting 8.5 million viewers.

It’s why Portnoy is demanding an explanation, having pointed out that both women are white.

The outspoken Barstool Sports president is calling on people to “explain why 10 million more people watched her last year than Paige Bueckers(also white) this year.”

“I’ll hang up and listen,” he added.

Caitlin Clark Looking To Improve Even More In Year 2 After Impressive Rookie Season

Kelsey Plum guarding Caitlin ClarkKelsey Plum guarding Caitlin Clark (Photo by Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Caitlin Clark is heading into her second season in the pros after completing an impressive rookie campaign in which she was named Rookie of the Year, made the All-Star team, and was an All-WNBA First-Team selection.

Known for her incredible long-distance shooting, the Indiana Fever guard is looking to add extra layers to her game ahead of year 2. She has revealed that she’s working on increasing her strength and is putting in extra work in the weight room while also implementing additional skills, such as floaters.

The former Iowa superstar, who left college as the highest scorer in NCAA history (both men’s and women’s), is excited about next season, with the Fever having made some notable additions such as six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner and three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard.