The confetti had barely finished falling on the Las Vegas Aces’ third straight championship when ESPN dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the WNBA world. In what many fans are calling “the ultimate disrespect,” the Indiana Fever — led by superstar Caitlin Clark — were ranked fifth in ESPN’s “Way Too Early 2026 WNBA Power Rankings.”

Fifth. Behind the Aces, the Phoenix Mercury, the Atlanta Dream, and the Minnesota Lynx.

To casual fans, it might seem like a simple preseason projection. But to anyone who watched the Fever claw their way through adversity, injuries, and an unforgiving playoff schedule last season, the message felt clear: the network that helped hype Clark’s arrival is now questioning whether she and the Fever are truly ready to take over the league.

And if you know Caitlin Clark, you know one thing — she’s already using it as fuel.

The Heavyweight Who Never Got a Fair Fight

The 2025 Indiana Fever season will be remembered as one of resilience and heartbreak. Clark’s rookie campaign in 2024 had already ignited national attention, but it was 2025 that truly tested her mettle. A lingering groin injury in June, followed by a late-season ankle sprain, kept her off the court during crucial stretches of the playoff push.

Even then, the Fever nearly shocked the world. A few healthy games away from reaching the Finals, they fought their way through a brutal Eastern bracket that included the Dream and the Lynx — two teams now ranked above them by ESPN.

“It wasn’t just about talent,” head coach Stephanie White said in her post-series press conference. “It was about heart, chemistry, and what these women were willing to endure for each other. We didn’t lose because we weren’t good enough — we lost because we ran out of bodies.”

Yet when ESPN’s Michael Voepel released his October 11th rankings, the Fever were slotted squarely in the middle of the pack.

For Clark, who played through pain for much of the summer, that fifth-place slot hit differently.

“She doesn’t need the hype,” one team insider told The Athletic. “But don’t think she won’t remember every name on that list when the season starts.”

ESPN’s Math — And Why Fans Aren’t Buying It

Voepel’s rankings weren’t malicious — they were cautious. The WNBA’s looming 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) renegotiations have thrown nearly every team’s roster into uncertainty. Dozens of veterans could test free agency if a new deal dramatically raises salary caps.

But even with that uncertainty, ESPN’s logic for ranking the Fever fifth raised eyebrows.

Their rationale? The Aces remain a dynasty, the Mercury boast veteran firepower with Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi’s final run, and Atlanta’s young core is “ready to explode.” The Fever, meanwhile, were labeled as “in transition” — a phrase that sounds more like a euphemism for “we don’t believe yet.”

Never mind that Clark and Aliyah Boston are both top-10 players in nearly every advanced metric. Never mind that NaLyssa Smith emerged as one of the league’s most efficient mid-range shooters. Never mind that Clark’s playmaking, even while injured, helped the Fever rank third in total assists per game.

The stats don’t lie. The disrespect does.

“Fifth is insane,” Fever forward Kristy Wallace posted on X shortly after the rankings dropped. “We were one healthy roster away from being in the Finals. See y’all in 2026.”

Her tweet racked up over 4 million views in two hours.

Caitlin Clark’s Next Chapter: The Comeback Season

If there’s one constant in Clark’s story, it’s that she thrives in the face of doubt.

The same player who was told her game “wouldn’t translate” to the WNBA became an All-Star in her first year. The same rookie who faced hecklers and targeted defenses now stands as the face of the league.

And now, with a full offseason to recover, she’s taking her first major step back into the public spotlight — on her own terms.

Earlier this month, Clark announced her first offseason speaking engagement: a live conversation with the Long Island Association in New York on October 29th. The event, billed as a discussion about “record-breaking performance and cultural influence,” sold out within 48 hours.

According to multiple reports, Clark’s speaking fee is rumored to hover near $100,000 per hour, putting her among the most in-demand athletes in America — male or female.

It’s a power move that underscores what ESPN’s ranking seems to forget: Clark’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court.

“She’s not just a player,” says former WNBA executive Nancy Lieberman. “She’s a movement. She’s reshaping how the league markets itself. If you think she’s going to take being ranked fifth lightly, you haven’t been paying attention.”

The Fever’s Future: Loyalty, Legacy, and a Little Bit of Revenge

Internally, the Fever aren’t panicking. In fact, the front office sees ESPN’s skepticism as a convenient motivator.

According to sources within the organization, Stephanie White is expected to remain head coach through at least 2026. The team believes her calm, methodical approach helped stabilize a young locker room that easily could’ve unraveled under the media circus surrounding Clark’s first two seasons.

“Steph overachieved,” one assistant coach said anonymously. “She had to manage injuries, fatigue, and every camera crew in America. Most teams would’ve crumbled under that. She didn’t.”

The Fever’s strategy this offseason is simple: build around Clark and Boston with shooters and reliable veterans who fit the culture. Early free agency rumors already link Indiana to Diamond DeShields and Sami Whitcomb — both known for their locker-room leadership and perimeter defense.

If those deals land, the Fever instantly become deeper and more balanced than last year’s roster.

And yet, even without new signings, the Fever have one advantage that no analytics model can quantify: Caitlin Clark’s gravitational pull.

Players want to play with her. Fans want to watch her. Sponsors want to invest in her.

It’s the same magnetic effect LeBron James brought to Cleveland in 2007 — the blend of talent, marketability, and leadership that turns a small-market franchise into a national brand.

“This Isn’t a Rebuild — It’s a Revolution”

That’s the message the Fever brass reportedly used in their end-of-season meeting. The 2025 campaign, they argued, wasn’t a setback; it was a foundation.

The Fever finished with their highest offensive rating in nearly a decade, sold out 80% of home games, and tripled their national broadcast appearances compared to 2024.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s own ratings for Fever games outdrew several NBA matchups in key markets.

So why the fifth-place ranking?

“Because narratives are easier than numbers,” a longtime Fever fan posted in frustration. “They see Vegas winning again, and they don’t want to think too hard about what happens when Caitlin’s healthy. That’s fine. They’ll find out next summer.”

Inside the Locker Room: What the Players Are Saying

Sources say Clark herself hasn’t publicly addressed ESPN’s list — but privately, she’s been vocal about setting a tone for the 2026 season.

“She’s in the gym already,” says one Fever staffer. “She’s watching film, she’s texting teammates, she’s planning workouts. She wants to come back stronger than ever.”

Aliyah Boston, meanwhile, has emerged as the team’s emotional anchor. During her podcast appearance this week, Boston reflected on the challenges of last season and her growth as a leader.

“It was a year of mental toughness,” she said. “We all had to learn that you can withstand more than you think. That’s what this team’s about now — no excuses, just growth.”

That quote quickly went viral among Fever fans. It perfectly captured the new energy in Indiana: not bitterness, but belief.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the WNBA

Behind the drama of power rankings lies a much larger story. The WNBA is changing — fast.

The new CBA negotiations could triple player salaries, expand the schedule, and reshape how teams build rosters. With rising stars like Clark, Boston, and Paige Bueckers coming up together, the next three seasons could define an entirely new era of women’s basketball.

And while ESPN’s analysts may not have faith just yet, the league’s audience clearly does.

Clark’s Fever jersey was the top-selling item across all Fanatics WNBA merchandise this season. The team’s social media following grew by 142%, and ticket renewals for 2026 are already near sold-out status — a record for the franchise.

The Fever, once an afterthought, are now the heartbeat of the WNBA.

“We Remember Everything”

As the offseason begins, the Fever are quietly regrouping.

The gym lights in Indianapolis are still on late into the night. Rookie invitees and returning veterans are already trickling in for voluntary workouts. And somewhere in that facility, Caitlin Clark is shooting until the janitors tell her to stop.

She doesn’t need to post about it. She doesn’t need to tell anyone she saw ESPN’s ranking. Everyone already knows.

“Fifth?” she’ll probably mutter with a smile. “Cool. See you in June.”