The WNBA’s 2025 season tipped off with fireworks on Saturday, as Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever crushed the Chicago Sky 93-58 in front of a sold-out crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark, the league’s No. 1 overall pick in 2024, lit up the stat sheet with a triple double, the third of her young career, and reminded fans why she’s already one of the league’s biggest names.
But while Clark’s on-court dominance grabbed the headlines, one courtside fan found himself at the center of a different kind of attention.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a longtime supporter of Clark, showed up in a full Indiana Fever jersey with nothing underneath. The look sparked a flurry of reactions across social media- and not the kind he may have hoped for.
Fans Call Out Portnoy’s Courtside Look
Portnoy’s outfit- a sleeveless Clark No. 22 jersey worn without an undershirt- immediately turned heads. Cameras caught him chatting courtside with WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, and once the photo hit social media, it exploded.
“Dave Portnoy is here in a 22 jersey, chatting with Sophie Cunningham,” one reporter shared online, setting off a wave of comments.
Dave Portnoy is here in a 22 jersey, chatting with Sophie Cunningham. pic.twitter.com/jwsLgRKWgw
— Owen Siebring (@owensiebring) May 17, 2025
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“Portnoy looks disgusting — nipples protruding — in his red jersey on the court. Very very disrespectful,” one fan wrote on X.
Portnoy looks disgusting – nipples protruding – in his red jersey on the court. Very very disrespectful.
— Virgil’s Quill (@VirgilsQuill) May 17, 2025
Others piled on quickly, with remarks ranging from mockery to outright criticism. “Dave doesn’t got the right build to wear a jersey with no shirt under,” one user posted.
Dave doesn’t got the right build to wear a jersey with no shirt under 😭😭😭
— Follow HeavenlyBuckets (@Heavenlybuckets) May 17, 2025
“Look at you, you look like a queer !” another added.
@stoolpresidente look at you, you look like a queer !
— Paul Allen (@PaulAllenNHB) May 17, 2025
Some fans questioned the appropriateness of his look at a family event. “What a nasty person,” one comment read.
What a nasty person and then there’s Dave
— Cody (@Cody41451712) May 18, 2025
Despite the backlash, Portnoy walked away with more than just attention. He reportedly placed a $25,000 bet on Clark to record a triple double, a risky call that earned him $350,000. For Portnoy, the night ended in a win on and off the court, though not everyone appreciated the show he put on from his seat near the action.
The WNBA season may just be getting started, but the spotlight around it, for better or worse, is already burning bright.
Also Read: Dave Portnoy Is Claiming He’s Responsible For Igniting The Feud Between Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese
