The Indiana Fever’s 84-80 upset victory over the Connecticut Sun may have thrilled their fans, but no one was more elated than Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who walked away with a significant win. Known for his high-stakes wagers, Portnoy made headlines by placing a massive $50,000 bet on the Fever to pull off the upset, earning him a cool $122,500.
Portnoy’s motivation for the bet seemed to be more than just faith in the Fever; it was also a response to a challenge from fellow Barstool personality Brandon Walker. During a segment on Barstool Gambling, Walker accused Portnoy of being a “phony” WNBA fan and confidently picked the Sun to win the game. In classic Portnoy fashion, he took that challenge head-on, posting his betting slip online just moments after Walker’s jab, placing his money on Caitlin Clark and the Fever.
Brandon isn’t on the Caitlin Clark bandwagon@draftkings #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/x5ZVvw9X1o
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) August 28, 2024
Portnoy, a longtime believer in Clark since her college days, saw his bet pay off as the Fever secured a narrow victory, thanks in part to Clark’s impressive performance. After the game, Portnoy wasted no time in rubbing it in Walker’s face, taking to social media to share a video with the caption, “You can’t teach this type of dumb,” directly tagging Walker to emphasize his point.
Moneyline. #dkpartner #FeverRising https://t.co/puCE4Sk7F1 pic.twitter.com/JpxTgyQoWg
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 28, 2024
The Fever have been on a hot streak lately, winning seven of their last ten games as they push toward securing their first playoff berth since 2016. Caitlin Clark, who has steadily improved throughout her rookie season, played a pivotal role in the victory over the Sun. She contributed 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists, helping the Fever maintain their momentum.
You cant teach this type of dumb @BFW pic.twitter.com/pxpnjnRKHl
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 29, 2024
Clark’s rookie campaign has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite a slow start and struggles with turnovers, she has found her stride as the season progresses. Her performance on Wednesday night added to her growing list of accomplishments, which includes setting WNBA rookie records for the most three-pointers made and most assists in a single season. With an average of 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game, Clark has firmly positioned herself in the Rookie of the Year conversation, with many believing she should win the award outright.
The Fever’s next challenge comes on August 30, when they face Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky in a crucial matchup. With both teams fighting for a playoff spot, all eyes will be on Clark as she continues to make her case as one of the brightest young stars in the league.
