During the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, Dave Portnoy praised Minnesota Lynx teammates Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman for their impressive Twitch marathon. The duo’s 72-hour stream on their StudBudz channel attracted widespread attention and acclaim. Portnoy expressed admiration for their efforts and hinted at a potential collaboration in the future, which has sparked a mix of reactions due to his ongoing criticism of WNBA star Angel Reese.
Ryan Clark Criticizes Portnoy’s Stance on Angel Reese
Former NFL player Ryan Clark publicly addressed Portnoy’s contentious opinions, highlighting the growing tension around Portnoy’s support for Caitlin Clark and disdain for Angel Reese. Clark condemned Portnoy’s harsh remarks, describing them as unwelcome within the WNBA community.
“Not only did he call Angel Reese a classless piece of s**t after the NCAA’s, he’s continued to double down on his dislike and disdain for her. If you’re servicing WNBA viewers, he’s exactly what you don’t want.” —Ryan Clark, Ex-NFL Star
“He is part of the Caitlin Clark following that makes people hate her fans. The Dave Portnoy’s of the world have been empowered and feel entitled to feel, talk and be any way they want to to anyone. So, to me, when you continue to pile on this young lady, that’s not a level of fandom that you’re subscribing to — it’s a level of hate.” —Ryan Clark, Ex-NFL Star
Portnoy Fires Back at Ryan Clark, Escalates Feud
In response to Ryan Clark’s remarks, Dave Portnoy took to Twitter to challenge the former athlete’s criticism and deepen the dispute. He accused Clark of repeatedly bringing him up and questioned his motives, escalating the tension between the two figures.
“Ryan Clark can’t go two days without talking about me. I shouldn’t dignify his existence because I know he’s a race baiter, BUT apparently he’s mad I have opinions on a pro athlete while he’s out here attacking guys’ wives. Welcome to the (clown) show,” Portnoy tweeted.
StudBudz Plan to Address Angel Reese Comments Directly with Portnoy
Meanwhile, Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman of StudBudz intend to confront Dave Portnoy about his past criticisms of Angel Reese during their upcoming interview. They have made it clear they are prepared to openly discuss the matter, aiming to get clarity on his statements firsthand.
“I keep seeing, I see everybody here keeps saying Dave said nasty stuff about Angel Reese. Okay, so guess what? When Dave comes on, we’re gonna ask him, ‘Hey Dave, why you talking about Angel like that?’ Y’all see how simple that is? We don’t run away,” said StudBudz.
This forthcoming collaboration with Barstool Sports and Portnoy promises to be a notable moment, given the acrimony surrounding the existing feud and the scrutiny on Portnoy’s views regarding Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Implications and Future Developments in the Portnoy Clarke Controversy
The ongoing dispute between Dave Portnoy and Ryan Clark highlights the divisiveness within the sports community surrounding fandom, respect, and criticism, particularly in women’s basketball. Portnoy’s vocal stance on the Dave Portnoy Caitlin Clark feud continues to provoke strong reactions, drawing attention from athletes, fans, and commentators alike. As StudBudz prepare to engage with him directly, the conversation around these tensions is likely to evolve further, shaping public perception of the athletes and commentators involved.