Candace Parker Breaks Silence on Rumored Caitlin Clark Tension
Candace Parker Breaks Silence on Rumored Caitlin Clark Tension originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
There's no question that Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is the face of the WNBA.
The league went out of its way to feature Clark and the Fever is as many primetime games that it could this season, and Clark's impact is undeniable when looking at ticket sales, merchandise sales, and television ratings.
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And while Clark's presence in the league has been a topic of dissension for some current and past players, most notably six-time All-Star Sheryl Swoopes, recently retired three-time WNBA champion Candace Parker went out of her way to let everyone know she's not one of them.
During a recent appearance on 'The Take,' Parker admitted to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that despite what's been portrayed in the media (several reports have claimed retired players are resentful of the younger players for potentially earning more money than they did), she actually has zero problem with the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin ClarkGrace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In fact, Parker went on record stating she's a fan of what Clark is doing a season and some change into her WNBA career.
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'You know, it's so crazy to me because I'm asked so many times if I'm resentful in any type of way for where the WNBA is right now,' Parker stated. 'My job was to leave the game better than I came into it.
'You think Cheryl Miller is resentful for me that I had a league to play in? No, she's being the mentor that she is, and she's supporting and loving and sitting courtside cheering on JuJu Watkins. And I'm doing the same for Caitlin Clark and all the women in the WNBA.'
Legendary Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The WNBA's 'changing of the guard' has been a front-and-center issue for months — really since Chicago Sky star Angel Reese boldly stated if the next collective bargaining agreement negotiations don't go the way the players want in terms of salary increases, there will be the threat of a lockout.
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And while Clark has done nothing but bring more eyes to televisions and more people to seats in WNBA arenas, any drastic changes happening in the league are being attributed to her.
Related: Caitlin Clark Nearly Got Indiana Fever in Trouble for Unbelievable Reason
Related: Brittney Griner Bracing for Punishment After Altercation With WNBA Official
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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