Following a controversial no-call in a game involving Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White criticized WNBA referees for their officiating in Fever games, calling it "egregious". In the game against the New York Liberty, Natasha Cloud made contact with Clark in the final possession, but no foul was called. White expressed her disappointment, stating, "The disrespect right now for our team has been pretty unbelievable." Clark declined to comment on the specific call, saying she needed to review it. The Fever lost to the Liberty 90-88 and fell to 2-2 on the season, having faced several controversial calls in their initial games.

A report from NBC News projects that Caitlin Clark could generate over $1 billion in economic impact for the WNBA in 2025. Ryan Brewer from Indiana University Columbus estimates that Clark was responsible for approximately 26.5% of all WNBA economic activity last season, including merchandise, ticket sales, and television ratings. The rise in attendance and viewership coincides with Clark’s arrival. The Fever averaged 17,035 fans per home game in 2024, surpassing the Indiana Pacers. WNBA attendance increased from 6,615 per game in 2023 to 9,807. Average viewership for ESPN broadcasts reached 1.2 million, a new league benchmark. Merchandise sales also surged, with Clark ranking sixth among all basketball players in sales through Fanatics. StubHub data indicated that all top-selling WNBA games for the 2025 season featured the Fever. Ticket prices for Indiana’s road games have jumped by an average of 140%, with an average resale price of $312.

Clark’s presence has led to local economic growth. Brewer's valuation of the Fever jumped from $90 million to $340 million. Her presence is projected to bring approximately $41 million in economic activity to Indianapolis. Visit Indy launched campaigns targeting Clark’s collegiate fan base in Iowa, resulting in increased website traffic and hotel bookings. The Fever is investing in a $78 million practice facility and has launched Fever Direct, a streaming service for fans. The team started the 2025 season 2-2 after losing to the New York Liberty 90-88. Clark recorded 18 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds in the game.

In a related incident, a heated exchange between former NFL players Ryan Clark and Robert Griffin III (RG3) occurred when Clark referenced RG3’s wife, Grete Griffin, in a discussion about WNBA stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. The controversy started when RG3 claimed Reese “hates” Clark, leading Ryan Clark to suggest RG3’s perspective was limited due to his marriage to a white woman. Clark later apologized for bringing Grete into the discussion, acknowledging it was inappropriate. RG3 has not yet responded to Clark’s apology.

Caitlin Clark has noted the Indiana Fever's inconsistency. Following a 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty, Clark stated that the team needs to improve its consistency. She acknowledged that the Fever has only put together two good quarters in each game and emphasized the need to play four solid quarters to beat the league's top teams.