Clark drawing fans, opponents' ire

Star rookie has caught the attention of fellow players. She seems to have a target on her back

- DAVE FESCHUK

Caitlin Clark had a rough weekend with the Indiana Fever, taking a flagrant body check on Saturday and managing just three points on Sunday.

If you're Larry Tanenbaum, Toronto's leading sports bankroller, it's possible you're making a concerned phone call this week.

It's possible you're dialing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and asking a simple question. As in: What's going on with Caitlin Clark? If you're Tanenbaum, after all, you just made an estimated $150-million commitment to bring the WNBA to Toronto beginning in 2026.

And there are plenty of good reasons why it's a promising investment, top among them the star power of Clark, the two-time U.S national collegiate player of the year and No. 1overall draft pick who has attracted eyeballs to women's hoops in unprecedented quantities.

For all that, her first three weeks as a professional haven't exactly been a seamless showcase for her eye-popping talent. That's understandable, to a degree. As much as Clark became a transcendent figure by dominating the NCAA ranks, earning a $28-million (US) Nike deal and appearing in a litany of commercials, she's finding out that the pro game can be an unforgiving slog.