• Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy revealed his dislike for Angel Reese began during the 2023 NCAA Championship game
• Reese flashed the ring celebration and John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” gesture toward Caitlin Clark as the game ended
• Portnoy called Reese “classless” for the taunting, which he said sparked accusations of racism against him

NEW YORK, N.Y. (TDR) — Angel Reese is one of the most prominent WNBA stars today, but she’s also a divisive figure who has garnered significant criticism on social media. One of her most vocal critics is Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who is also a massive supporter of Caitlin Clark.

In an appearance on Rachel DeMita’s “Courtside Club” podcast, Portnoy was asked how his hatred for Reese began. Barstool’s “El Presidente” said it started during LSU’s championship game victory over Iowa. “I started hating Angel in the ring game. I called her a classless piece of s***. That got transformed to ‘Dave’s racist,'” Portnoy said. “That started the rivalry. Angel provoked it.”

The gesture that sparked controversy

During the waning moments of LSU’s 102-85 victory in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship, Reese made headlines for her on-court antics directed at Clark. As Iowa’s star guard walked toward the sideline, Reese approached her before waving an open hand in front of her face, the “You Can’t See Me” gesture popularized by WWE wrestler John Cena, before pointing to her ring finger in anticipation of receiving a championship ring.

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The moment quickly went viral and drew sharp criticism from fans and commentators, with many calling Reese’s behavior unsportsmanlike. However, others defended the LSU forward by pointing out that Clark had made the same gesture to Louisville players during Iowa’s Elite Eight victory just days earlier. Clark received praise for the move, including from John Cena himself, while Reese faced backlash.

“She did things that made you hate her, no different than any other rivalry,” Portnoy said on the podcast, defending his criticism as related to sportsmanship rather than race.

Double standard debate

Reese addressed the disparity in reactions during her post-championship press conference. “All year, I was critiqued about who I was,” Reese said. “I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing.” The LSU star, who was named Most Outstanding Player after finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds, said she was simply responding to what she perceived as disrespect from Clark.

For her part, Clark said she didn’t notice the taunting at the time and later defended Reese’s right to show emotion. “Angel is a tremendous, tremendous player. I have nothing but respect for her,” Clark said days after the game. “Men have always had trash talk. You should be able to play with that emotion. That’s how every girl should continue to play.”

Rivalry continues in WNBA

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The college rivalry has carried over into the professional ranks, where both players were first-round picks in the 2024 WNBA draft. Clark went first overall to the Indiana Fever, while Reese was selected seventh by the Chicago Sky. The ongoing tension between their fan bases has become one of the most talked-about storylines in women’s basketball.

Portnoy, despite his vocal criticism of Reese, did offer her rare praise for a business move in July when she coined the term “mebounds” to market her signature Reebok shoe line, turning her struggles with shooting efficiency into a marketing strength. “I hate Angel Reese. Hate her. That’s how much it pains me to admit how brilliant it was for her team to trademark Mebounds and make it her thing,” Portnoy wrote on social media.

Should trash talk and celebrations be embraced as part of women’s basketball, or does it cross a line when directed at specific opponents?

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