“Remind me a lot of Larry Bird and me,” Magic Johnson attested to the comparisons drawn between Caitlin Clark – Angel Reese and the NBA’s most iconic rivalry that stirred fan interest. A matter of tape delays to live TV broadcasts then, and peak viewership every game now. But a more recent factor that in part impacted the popularity the rookies now enjoy, comes with a downside that the NBA legends evaded well.

On CNBC’s Power Lunch, host Tyler Mathisen brought up the effects social media has inflicted upon the league; more prominently on two of its most visible players. When asked for her take, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert spoke of the intersection the league has become for culture, music, fashion, and fashion, welcoming attention and dismissing apathy. “Everybody cares,” she says, bringing in Magic-Bird rivalry to example the rookies’ impact.

“It is a little that Bird-Magic moment we recall from 1979 when there were 2 rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white one black. And so, we have that moment with these two,” she says. Well, indeed.

The games between Reese and Clark have brought in an average of 1.6 million viewers and peaked at 1.92 million. One in June peaked at 3.3 million on ESPN. But unlike the NBA’s duo, this did not come without consequences as Angel Reese recently revealed. And Englebert agrees. She also has advice for it.

“So, social media is different today than it was in 1979 when it didn’t exist. I always tell the players, you know I was told a long time ago if someone is typing something in and you wouldn’t ask their advice, ignore it.”

The rivalry has, as evidenced, been good for the league, surging in popularity, unlike before. It might as well be a necessary, the commissioner notes. “That’s what makes people watch,” she says. But only as long as it doesn’t turn into fan wars, affecting the players beyond mere words.

Angel Reese sheds light on the impact of fans’ involvement

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have been competing against each other since high school. They have both been extremely competitive, as Clark has previously noted, only making it natural to birth the rivalry between them. Though a little trash talk, it has been a healthy dynamic throughout. It still is. But as the fans stepped in, the boundaries were crossed.

Last week, the Sky rookie spilled the beans on the same in her new video podcast, Unapologetically Angel. “Caitlin is an amazing player, and I’ve always thought she was an amazing player,” she started. “I think it’s the fans… they ride for her. And I respect that, [when it’s] respectful. But sometimes it’s very disrespectful,” she added to further go on to put forth her experiences. Leaked address, d-ath threats, obscene acts online, and majorly, rac–sm.

“And I don’t believe she stands on any of that,” Reese had cleared. And the Indiana rookie has herself previously spoken up against the criticism, saying Reese deserves none of it. But the other side of the internet, demands a bolder voice following the revelation.