David Portnoy, the outspoken and controversial figure behind Barstool Sports, has once again captured the attention of the sports world with a bold move that has fans and critics talking. This time, he’s making headlines with an audacious $100,000 bet that Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will win the 2024 WNBA Finals. It’s a bet that has everyone buzzing—not just because of the amount of money on the line, but also because of the incredible odds and the statement it makes about Clark’s rising star in women’s basketball.

Portnoy, who has been a vocal supporter of Caitlin Clark since her college days at Iowa, made the bet public via Twitter, sparking a wave of reactions across social media. His tweet read, “Caitlin Clark is a top three player in the league, maybe the best. She got rest for the first time in a year. Aaliyah Boston and her chemistry grows every game. They started 1-8, they’re 10-7 since and improving. I had to do it #DKPartner.” With the odds set at +10,000, a win for the Fever would net Portnoy a staggering $10 million.

The Fever, who currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, haven’t had a strong track record in recent years. They last made the playoffs in 2016 and have been rebuilding ever since. However, the arrival of Caitlin Clark has injected new energy and hope into the franchise. Clark, alongside standout player Aaliyah Boston, has helped turn the team’s season around, making them a potential dark horse in the WNBA. Portnoy’s bet is a testament to his belief in the team’s potential and in Clark’s ability to lead them to glory.

Portnoy is no stranger to high-stakes betting. In June, he won $1.6 million after betting on the Boston Celtics to defeat the Dallas Mavericks for their 18th NBA Championship. His latest wager on the Fever, however, is more than just a financial gamble; it’s a bold prediction that Caitlin Clark’s star power can propel the team to unprecedented heights.

Clark has been a sensation ever since her college days, where she dazzled fans with her scoring ability and on-court leadership. Her transition to the WNBA has been nothing short of spectacular, and she’s quickly become one of the league’s most talked-about players. Portnoy’s bet underscores the belief that Clark is not just a great player, but potentially the best in the league—a player who can single-handedly change the fortunes of a franchise.

As the Fever prepare to return to the court this Friday against the Phoenix Mercury, all eyes will be on Clark and her teammates. The second half of the season will be critical, and if the team can maintain their momentum, they could indeed be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs. Portnoy’s bet, while risky, could very well be a stroke of genius if the Fever continue their upward trajectory.

But the story doesn’t end with Portnoy’s bet. Stephen A. Smith, another prominent figure in the sports world, has also weighed in on the WNBA, albeit with a different focus. Smith recently criticized Team USA’s women’s basketball team for missing a significant marketing opportunity by not including Caitlin Clark on their roster for the Olympics. In a YouTube rant, Smith argued that Clark’s inclusion would have been a huge boost for the sport, potentially drawing more fans and increasing viewership.

Smith’s comments come on the heels of Team USA’s victory over France to claim their eighth consecutive gold medal. Despite the win, Smith believes that the team’s failure to capitalize on Clark’s marketability was a missed opportunity that could have elevated the profile of women’s basketball. He pointed out that attendance numbers for the women’s games were lower than expected, a problem that could have been mitigated by Clark’s presence.

The WNBA has long struggled with issues of visibility and marketing, and Smith’s critique highlights the challenges the league faces in growing its audience. The upcoming return of the Indiana Fever, however, offers a chance for the league to capture some much-needed attention, particularly with the spotlight on Clark.

Portnoy’s bet, coupled with Smith’s criticisms, paints a picture of a league at a crossroads. The WNBA has the talent, but it needs to find new ways to market its stars and draw in fans. Caitlin Clark represents a potential turning point for the league—a player who can not only dominate on the court but also bring in new viewers and energize the fanbase.

As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see how the Fever perform and whether Portnoy’s bet pays off. If they can make a deep run in the playoffs, it could be a defining moment for the franchise and the league as a whole. In the meantime, fans will be watching closely, eager to see if Clark and her teammates can rise to the occasion and prove that Portnoy’s bold bet was more than just a gamble—it was a glimpse into the future of women’s basketball.