Basketball Legend Sends Clear Message to WNBA Stars: Embrace Caitlin Clark, Let Go of the Jealousy, Grow the Game

One of the most revered figures in basketball history has stepped into the ongoing cultural whirlwind surrounding Caitlin Clark’s WNBA arrival, urging current players to shift the narrative. The message? Drop the jealousy. Embrace the moment. Grow the game—together.

This week, NBA and WNBA Hall of Famer and global icon Magic Johnson added his voice to the growing discourse around Clark’s treatment in the league. Johnson didn’t mince words. In a powerful social media message and follow-up interviews, he said it’s time for WNBA players to recognize the bigger picture.

“Caitlin Clark is great for women’s basketball,” Johnson said. “What she brings is attention, fans, corporate sponsorships, and new viewers. I understand the competition, the pride, the edge—it’s part of the game. But what we can’t do is let jealousy and resentment get in the way of growth.”

Johnson’s words echo sentiments many fans and analysts have been trying to articulate since Clark transitioned from college sensation to pro. The Iowa legend, whose NCAA scoring records and jaw-dropping three-pointers made her a household name, has drawn massive crowds, spiked jersey sales, and helped secure lucrative media deals for the WNBA. And yet, her arrival has been met with a mix of admiration and friction from some of her new peers.

The most visible flashpoints have played out on the court and online. Clark has taken hard fouls, been left off Team USA’s Olympic roster despite a clear popularity surge, and become a lightning rod for discussions around race, marketability, and meritocracy in women’s sports.

Magic Johnson, though, is urging WNBA players to see the forest through the trees.

“This moment is bigger than any one player,” he said. “Every legend who came before had to face scrutiny and carry weight. Now it’s Caitlin’s turn. And instead of isolating her, her peers should rally around her.”

A History Lesson in Perspective

Johnson knows a thing or two about rising tides lifting all boats. In the 1980s, he and Larry Bird not only revived the NBA—they saved it. Bird, a white player from Indiana, and Johnson, a Black player from Michigan, were billed as polar opposites. But together, their rivalry and eventual friendship transformed the NBA into a mainstream phenomenon.

“I remember when Bird and I were coming up. The spotlight was hot. There were haters. But we never let that divide us,” Johnson explained. “We used it to bring more fans into the sport. That’s what the WNBA can do right now. Use Caitlin’s momentum.”

Clark, whose deep shooting range and competitive edge have drawn comparisons to Stephen Curry, also mirrors what Johnson and Bird represented: a figure capable of pulling in new demographics. She’s brought casual fans into the fold, many of whom had never watched a WNBA game before.

The Jealousy Undercurrent

Yet with attention comes tension. Several WNBA players—on and off the record—have expressed frustration about the disproportionate media coverage Clark receives. They’ve questioned why her every move is amplified, while seasoned veterans are overlooked.

But Johnson says the answer isn’t less Clark—it’s more spotlight for everyone.

“I’m not saying the other women don’t deserve shine. Of course they do. There are incredible players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and more,” Johnson acknowledged. “But what Caitlin is doing is opening the door. Walk through it. Don’t slam it shut.”

That door, in real terms, looks like packed arenas, multi-million dollar broadcast deals, and increased social media engagement for the entire league. The Indiana Fever, Clark’s team, has sold out home and away games. Opposing teams are seeing attendance spikes whenever she visits. Merchandise sales are soaring. And ratings are hitting all-time highs.

“She’s not taking anything away from the league,” Johnson emphasized. “She’s bringing the world to it.”

Inside the Locker Room

Clark has handled the glare with grace. While she has admitted the transition has been tough—adjusting to the speed, the physicality, and the expectations—she’s consistently deflected praise to her teammates. She’s acknowledged the trailblazers who came before her. And she’s rarely clapped back at critics.

“She has handled it better than most rookies I’ve seen,” said former WNBA MVP Sheryl Swoopes. “But the fact that she even has to navigate all of this instead of just playing ball is sad.”

Some current WNBA stars have come to Clark’s defense. Candace Parker, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Chiney Ogwumike have all spoken about the importance of inclusion and evolution. But others, like Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter, have taken veiled and not-so-veiled shots—on and off the court.

Johnson says these tensions are natural—but they don’t have to define the moment.

“Every league goes through this when a breakout star arrives,” he explained. “But you can either fight the spotlight or you can use it.”

Bigger Than Basketball

What’s at stake isn’t just legacy—it’s economics. The WNBA has long fought for parity in pay, marketing, and respect. For decades, players have demanded better travel accommodations, fairer salaries, and larger platforms. Now, with the world watching, the league is finally approaching an inflection point.

“Caitlin Clark didn’t cause these inequities,” Johnson said. “But she might help solve them.”

Already, corporate sponsors are lining up. TV viewership is spiking. A whole generation of girls is tuning in. And yet, the league’s internal cohesion is being tested.

“Imagine what would happen if the players stood together,” Johnson said. “Imagine a united front: Clark, Reese, Wilson, Taurasi, Plum—all building something together. That’s how you build a movement. That’s how you change history.”

The Road Ahead

For Clark, the journey is just beginning. The rookie season is a grind, and the Fever’s record has reflected that. But her individual performances—like her double-double games, game-winning shots, and floor leadership—have proven she belongs.

And as the league eyes expansion, increased investment, and global exposure, Johnson’s message hits home: now is the time to unify, not divide.

“Women’s basketball is on the cusp of something major,” Johnson said. “And Caitlin Clark is a big part of that. But she can’t do it alone. The whole league has to rise. Together.”

As Clark continues to play, learn, and lead, she does so carrying the hopes of not just Indiana, but a sport seeking its rightful place in the spotlight. Whether her teammates and opponents choose to meet the moment with animosity or appreciation may define the future of the WNBA.

One thing is clear: Magic Johnson has seen what greatness—and opportunity—look like up close. And he believes Caitlin Clark is a once-in-a-generation chance for women’s basketball to rewrite its own story.

“She’s not the threat,” Johnson concluded. “She’s the opportunity. Don’t fear her. Embrace her.”