The announcement hit social media like a stray elbow – the Chicago Sky, facing the Indiana Fever on June 23rd, would be moving their home game from the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena to the United Center, a venue typically home to the NBA’s Bulls and capable of holding over 20,000 fans.

The reason cited was the overwhelming demand to see Caitlin Clark’s first professional game in Chicago.

While seemingly a logical business decision capitalizing on the “Caitlin Clark Effect,” the news reportedly landed with a distinct thud in the Sky locker room, particularly for their own rookie sensation, Angel Reese.

The silence from Reese on the matter has been deafening, but sources close to the team suggest a deep current of frustration stemming from the decision, especially given that no similar venue changes are currently planned for other high-profile Sky games, including those featuring their own highly anticipated draft pick.

Reese, the 7th overall pick in the 2024 draft, arrived in Chicago with her own considerable fanfare.

A national champion with LSU, her battles with Caitlin Clark in the college ranks were legendary, drawing massive ratings and fueling intense debate.

Many fans and analysts looked forward to the continuation of this rivalry in the WNBA, seeing it as a potential cornerstone for the league’s future.

Reese herself has expressed excitement about bringing her competitive fire and unique skillset to the Sky, aiming to make an immediate impact and build a dedicated fanbase in Chicago.

To see the organization seemingly prioritize the draw of an opponent, even one as significant as Clark, over the potential appeal of their own star rookie can be interpreted as a slight, a suggestion that her own considerable star power isn’t yet deemed worthy of similar logistical leaps.

The optics are challenging. The Chicago Sky, like other WNBA teams, are benefiting from the increased attention Caitlin Clark brings to the league.

Moving the game against the Fever is a savvy financial move, allowing thousands more fans to attend, boosting ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and overall visibility for the Sky brand.

However, the singular focus on the opponent as the reason for the move inadvertently diminishes the value proposition of the home team’s own players.

It frames the game primarily as an opportunity to see Caitlin Clark, with the Chicago Sky almost serving as the supporting act, rather than a compelling matchup between two teams featuring exciting talent, including a highly touted rookie in Reese eager to prove herself against her collegiate rival.

While the Sky organization hasn’t explicitly stated the move is only due to Clark, the overwhelming media narrative and fan discussion have centered almost exclusively on her.

This leaves little room for acknowledging the draw of Reese, the excitement surrounding the Sky’s other acquisitions, or the potential for a thrilling rivalry game regardless of Clark’s presence.

The unspoken message seems to be that the demand to see Clark warrants a 20,000-seat arena, while the demand to see Reese and the rest of the Sky does not, at least not yet.

This can be a bitter pill to swallow for a player who has consistently proven her ability to captivate audiences and drive engagement.

The frustration isn’t necessarily directed at Clark herself. By all accounts, the respect between the two from their college days, while intensely competitive, remains.

The issue lies more with the organizational decision-making and the perceived lack of equivalent investment in promoting and maximizing the appeal of their own star player.

Why not explore similar venue changes for games against other top teams or when nationally televised games could benefit from a larger, more energetic crowd drawn by the Sky’s own merits, including Reese’s substantial following?

The selective nature of the move for the Fever game raises questions about how the Sky organization values and intends to build around its own draft investment.

For Reese, this situation could serve as a powerful motivator. The feeling of being overlooked or undervalued can fuel a competitive fire.

It presents an opportunity to prove the organization, and perhaps the wider public, wrong. By elevating her performance, continuing to engage her significant fanbase, and driving on-court success for the Sky, Reese can make a compelling case for her own drawing power.

The June 23rd game at the United Center now carries an extra layer of intrigue – it’s not just Clark vs. the Sky; it’s an opportunity for Reese to make a statement in a bigger arena, a platform provided, ironically, by the anticipation surrounding her opponent.

The WNBA is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth, much of it spurred by the arrival of exceptional talents like Clark and Reese. However, navigating this growth requires sensitivity and strategic long-term thinking.

Teams need to capitalize on the heightened interest while also ensuring they are nurturing and promoting all their valuable players.

The optics of only moving a game to a larger venue because of the opposing team’s star can create internal friction and send mixed signals about the value placed on the home team’s own talent.

For the Chicago Sky, the challenge going forward will be to demonstrate that their commitment to building a winning franchise extends beyond leveraging the popularity of visiting players.

Highlighting the Reese-Clark rivalry, promoting Reese’s individual brand, and creating a compelling game-day experience that celebrates the entire Sky team will be crucial.

Perhaps the success of the United Center game, driven by Clark but featuring a standout performance from Reese, could be the catalyst for future considerations of larger venues for games where the Sky’s own stars are the primary draw.

Ultimately, Angel Reese’s reported frustration is understandable given the circumstances. It underscores the delicate balance teams must strike between seizing immediate opportunities presented by a phenomenon like Caitlin Clark and ensuring they are also strategically investing in the long-term growth and recognition of their own franchise players.

The hope is that this situation will spark internal discussions within the Sky organization about how to best leverage the talent and appeal of all their players, ensuring that future decisions reflect a commitment to building around their own stars just as much as they capitalize on the draw of their opponents.

The message should be that the United Center was filled not just to see one player, but to witness a compelling matchup featuring future legends of the game, including their very own Angel Reese.