The Indiana Fever thought they were making a bold statement when they began pushing “Kelsey Mitchell 4 MVP” shirts, but the move has completely backfired—especially with Caitlin Clark’s massive fan base.

Instead of rallying the team around Mitchell’s candidacy, the campaign has ignited controversy, with fans accusing the organization of pushing a “bullst agenda”** that sidelines Clark, the rookie superstar largely responsible for the Fever’s revival this season.

From the outside, the promotion looked like a harmless attempt to recognize Mitchell’s strong play and leadership. She’s been with Indiana far longer than Clark and has often been the team’s go-to scorer in tough moments.

But the problem wasn’t the shirts themselves—it was the timing and the optics. Clark has dominated headlines since entering the WNBA, breaking records, selling out arenas, and carrying Indiana into playoff contention. For many, promoting Mitchell over Clark feels less like team solidarity and more like a deliberate attempt to downplay Clark’s impact.

Social media erupted almost instantly. Clark’s supporters accused the Fever of trying to manufacture a narrative that elevates Mitchell at Clark’s expense. Some even suggested the move was part of a broader effort inside the organization to “humble” Clark or redirect attention away from her soaring popularity.

One fan wrote, “This is embarrassing. Caitlin Clark is the reason this team is even relevant, and you’re pushing Kelsey for MVP? Stop the nonsense.” Another bluntly added, “The Fever need to cut the bulls**t agenda and start embracing the player who saved their franchise.”

The backlash has been so fierce because it touches on a deeper tension: the way the WNBA and certain franchises have handled Clark’s rise. Since her Iowa days, Clark has been polarizing.

Opponents, commentators, and even league veterans have bristled at the overwhelming media attention she receives. Now, with her own team appearing to prioritize Mitchell for MVP hype, it feels to fans like yet another attempt to minimize her role in the Fever’s success.

To be clear, Kelsey Mitchell is having an excellent season. She’s consistent, efficient, and a respected veteran presence. But even Mitchell herself has admitted in interviews that Clark’s arrival transformed the Fever from an afterthought into a legitimate playoff team.

Clark’s ability to draw defenders, hit logo threes, and create opportunities has unlocked Mitchell’s scoring lanes in ways that didn’t exist before. Pushing Mitchell for MVP without acknowledging Clark’s role in making her life easier feels disingenuous at best.

Critics also point to the league-wide context. MVP campaigns are usually driven by undeniable dominance, and while Mitchell is strong, Clark’s impact goes beyond stats. She’s a cultural phenomenon, a walking ratings machine, and the singular reason why Indiana Fever games are suddenly sellouts.

Fans believe that if any MVP hype is warranted, it should be centered on Clark—if not immediately, then certainly in recognition of her historic rookie impact.

This controversy puts the Fever in a difficult spot. On one hand, they want to support Mitchell and give her the recognition she’s earned. On the other, alienating Clark’s massive fan base could backfire financially and publicly.

Already, “agenda” accusations have started trending online, with many fans warning that the team risks creating unnecessary tension between their two stars. For a franchise still finding its footing, this is the last thing they need heading into the postseason.

What makes this sting even more is how unnecessary it feels. The Fever could easily celebrate both players—Mitchell’s veteran leadership and Clark’s transformative rookie season—without framing it as a competition. Instead, the shirts have been interpreted as a shot across the bow, dividing a fanbase that should be united behind Indiana’s long-awaited resurgence.

For Caitlin Clark’s fans, the message is clear: don’t downplay the person who put the Fever back on the map. Whether intentional or not, the “Kelsey Mitchell 4 MVP” shirts have sparked a backlash that paints the organization as tone-deaf to the reality of Clark’s impact. Unless Indiana course-corrects quickly, this might linger as yet another example of how the league mishandles its brightest star.