'The office must have been furious' controversy over absence still sees 300,000 fans cheering... WNBA superstar remains wildly popular

*This content was translated by AI.

'Despite the controversy over her absence, WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark (24, Indiana Fever) remains hugely popular.

'The New York Post reported on the 25th (Korean time) that "Clark received enthusiastic cheers as the grand marshal of the Indianapolis 500."

'The Indianapolis 500, commonly known as "Indy 500," is a world-class automobile racing event representing American motorsports. Clark served as the grand marshal, a symbolic role marking the start of the race, at this year's event.

'According to reports, Clark appeared wearing a specially made helmet emblazoned with her team, the Indiana Fever, logo, drawing a warm response. The media explained that "Clark, standing before the microphone, received enthusiastic cheers from over 300,000 spectators." Amid the outpouring of cheers, Clark appeared somewhat nervous, waving and giving a thumbs-up in response. She then shouted, "Drivers, take your cars," signaling the start of the event.

'In fact, Clark's appearance at the event was itself a major topic of discussion, given the prior controversy over her absence.

'On the 20th, Clark sat out the home game against the Portland Fire due to poor physical condition caused by back pain. However, the issue was that the decision to sit out was announced only moments before the game. Under WNBA rules, all teams must submit information regarding injured players by 5 p.m. the day before the game. Clark, however, was not listed on Indiana's official injury report the day before. At that time, the Indiana team announced Clark's absence only two hours before the game started.

'The controversy grew larger given that Clark is a superstar representing the WNBA. Known as the "Female Curry" for her precise three-point shooting, Clark is not only a highly skilled player but also one of the most popular in the league. Whether Clark plays can affect game viewership and team ticket sales. The chance to see Clark play in person is also one of the reasons fans visit Indiana's stadium. In fact, when news of Clark's absence spread, fans turned away, leaving many sections of the Indiana stadium looking empty.

'The Indiana team also faced criticism for not fully considering Clark's influence. Ultimately, while the WNBA office did not impose a fine, it issued an official warning to the Indiana team.

'Yet, even amid the controversy, Clark's popularity remained unshaken. The many fans who visited the Indy 500 venue directed not criticism or jeers, but enthusiastic cheers toward Clark. The scene, where Clark's single absence sparked debate over the team's reporting procedures and led the office to issue a warning, underscored the situation.

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*This content was translated by AI.