ESPN Disrespects Indiana Fever With 2026 WNBA Season Power Ranking Reveal & Caitlin Clark MVP UPDATE . The Indiana Fever are once again being disrespected — at least, that’s what fans are saying after ESPN’s shocking 2026 WNBA preseason power rankings dropped this week.

Despite a remarkable turnaround in 2025 led by superstar Caitlin Clark, ESPN ranked the Fever shockingly low, igniting a storm of outrage across social media and fueling debates about whether national analysts truly understand what’s happening in Indianapolis.

According to the newly released list, the Fever were placed eighth overall, behind teams like the Liberty, Aces, Sun, and even the Mercury — a move that many fans called “a slap in the face” after Indiana’s incredible rise last season. The ranking immediately went viral, not because fans agreed with it, but because it felt like yet another instance of ESPN underrating Caitlin Clark’s impact and the Fever’s trajectory.

Clark’s fans wasted no time calling out the network. “They really ranked the Fever below teams they beat last season?” one fan posted. “Caitlin Clark took them from the bottom to the playoffs in one year, and ESPN still refuses to give her credit.” Others pointed out that while Indiana’s young roster struggled early in 2025, they finished the season as one of the hottest teams in the league — and that should have earned them more respect going into 2026.

Even analysts outside ESPN seemed baffled by the ranking. “I don’t get it,” one former WNBA player said on a podcast. “The Fever have two generational cornerstones in Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, a solid supporting cast, and a year of experience under their belt. How are they not in the top four?”

What makes ESPN’s ranking even more controversial is that it came alongside a segment updating Caitlin Clark’s MVP odds for the 2026 season. While the network acknowledged that Clark is a top contender for the award, some critics felt the tone was dismissive — framing her candidacy as more of a “media popularity contest” than legitimate basketball excellence. “Caitlin Clark might be the favorite among fans,” one ESPN host said, “but she still has to prove she can dominate the best players night after night.”

That comment struck a nerve with fans who feel Clark has already proven that — repeatedly. From her record-breaking scoring bursts to her historic assist totals, Clark’s rookie campaign wasn’t just impressive; it was transformational. She didn’t just elevate her game — she elevated the entire league, drawing record-breaking viewership numbers and attendance figures. Yet, even with all that, ESPN’s tone seemed hesitant to fully embrace her greatness.

Social media erupted in response. Hashtags like #FeverDisrespected and #ESPNBias began trending within hours of the rankings’ release. One viral post read: “Caitlin Clark brought millions of new fans to the WNBA, and ESPN thanks her by ranking her team EIGHTH? Unreal.” Another added, “You’d think after saving their ratings, ESPN would show the Fever some love. Guess not.”

For many, this isn’t about one list — it’s about a pattern. Throughout her first year in the WNBA, Clark was often the target of skepticism, both from within the league and from analysts who questioned whether her college dominance would translate to the pros.

When she not only adjusted but excelled, those same analysts seemed reluctant to admit how much she’d changed the game. Now, the preseason rankings feel like more of the same — underestimating a player and team that have consistently defied expectations.

Inside the Fever camp, though, the mood seems focused rather than frustrated. Team insiders say Clark and Boston are using the rankings as motivation. “They see it, trust me,” a source close to the team shared. “But that’s the thing about Caitlin — she thrives on this kind of doubt. Every time people underestimate her, she goes out and proves them wrong. That’s her fuel.”

Clark herself has remained calm amid the noise. When asked about ESPN’s rankings, she smiled and said, “Rankings don’t win games. We’ll see where everyone stands when the season ends.” It was the perfect response — poised, confident, and unmistakably competitive. It’s that mindset that’s made her one of the most respected young athletes in all of sports, not just women’s basketball.

Still, analysts believe ESPN’s low ranking might come back to haunt them once the season begins. “Indiana’s being overlooked again,” said one WNBA commentator. “But if Clark keeps improving and Boston continues to anchor that defense, this team could easily finish as a top-three seed. ESPN might have to eat their words by midseason.”

And when it comes to MVP predictions, Clark’s name remains at the top of nearly every betting chart. According to early odds from major sportsbooks, she’s a top-two favorite to win the 2026 MVP, alongside A’ja Wilson. That in itself says something: even as ESPN hesitates to give her full credit, Vegas and the fans clearly believe she’s next in line to take over the league.

But there’s a deeper issue here — one that fans keep bringing up. The WNBA’s newfound popularity, fueled largely by Caitlin Clark’s presence, has forced networks like ESPN to walk a fine line between traditional loyalties and undeniable change. For years, the Aces and Liberty have dominated coverage, but the Fever’s sudden rise and Clark’s global star power have shifted the spotlight. Some believe the rankings reflect ESPN’s reluctance to admit that shift — clinging to old narratives instead of embracing the new era.

As one viral fan post put it: “The WNBA changed the moment Caitlin Clark stepped on the court. ESPN just hasn’t caught up yet.”

The irony, of course, is that while ESPN’s ranking may have been meant as analysis, it’s instead become motivation. The Fever now enter 2026 with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove — not just to their opponents, but to every analyst who still doubts them. And if Caitlin Clark’s career so far has taught us anything, it’s that she plays her best basketball when the world underestimates her.

As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Indiana. The Fever’s young core is maturing, the chemistry is clicking, and Clark’s leadership has turned this once-struggling franchise into a legitimate threat. If the team comes out strong — and Clark continues her ascent toward MVP form — ESPN’s power ranking could go down as one of the coldest takes in recent memory

For now, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark and the Fever don’t need ESPN’s approval. They’ll let their game do the talking — and the league will have no choice but to listen.