ESPN’s Holly Rowe Faces Backlash for Emotional Toronto Video That Didn’t Mention Caitlin Clark

What Happened

Before Tuesday’s WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Toronto Tempo at Scotiabank Arena, ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe filmed a short video of herself visibly emotional in the stands. She turned the camera on herself and told viewers she couldn’t stop crying at the sight of 19,000 fans packed into the arena. Rowe said she kept breaking down in tears just looking at the packed arena. She praised the moment as a milestone for women’s basketball in Canada. She did not mention Caitlin Clark.
The video spread quickly online. The backlash followed just as fast.

Why Fans Were Angry

Tuesday’s game was Clark’s first WNBA game ever played in Canada. When the Fever-Tempo matchup was announced, demand was so strong that organizers moved it from the Tempo’s smaller home venue to Scotiabank Arena, which holds more than 19,000 people. Tickets sold out within hours of going on sale.
Fans on X argued that the crowd was there specifically because of Clark, not because of a general growth in women’s basketball. One widely shared post read: “This might perfectly summarize WNBA media coverage. Holly Rowe is crying tears of joy over a packed arena in Toronto while somehow failing to mention the woman everybody came to see.” Another user wrote: “The league will never admit people actually watch to see CC and Sophie. Never. But we all know.”
OutKick noted that Rowe did interview Clark after the game, and that the video was filmed before tipoff. Some defended Rowe, pointing out that she has covered women’s basketball for years and was expressing genuine emotion in the moment. Others said the omission, intentional or not, was hard to overlook given Clark’s direct role in setting attendance records wherever the Fever travel.

The Game Itself

Indiana won 101-95. Clark put up 24 points, seven dimes, and three boards on the night. After the game, she told Rowe they hadn’t played their best but were happy to take the win. She also joked, or perhaps complained, that Scotiabank Arena desperately needed air conditioning. Clark told Rowe the arena felt unbearably hot and suggested Canada invest in air conditioning before hosting another game. “It’s a million degrees in here.”
Kelsey Mitchell did not play in the fourth quarter after getting overheated. She had extended her streak of 20-point games to 20, tying the WNBA record originally set by A’ja Wilson, before sitting out the final period. Coach Stephanie White said it was the second straight game played in an extremely hot environment.
The win moved Indiana to 24-12 on the season and gave the Fever five consecutive victories. On the season, Clark is putting up 22.1 points, 8.3 assists, and 3.8 boards per night.
Source: Yahoo Sports, OutKick, Yardbarker, Bleacher Report, HITC, Heavy.com