Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark: two names so popular you don't even have to be a sports fan to know who we're talking about.

A rivalry fueled by skill that grew deeper during the Women's National Championship game between LSU and Iowa in 2023. But what is it about this rivalry, and this game in particular, that drove so much attention to a sport that wasn't seeing as much viewership before the media's portrayal of Clark and Reese's "foil"?

In iHeartRadio podcast, The Making of a Rivalry: Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese host Cari Champion shines a spotlight on the real reason behind the Clark-Reese rivalry and how it's benefiting the WNBA while simultaneously inviting in toxicity.

Per the podcast summary:

"Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese caused a media frenzy after their infamous 'you can’t see me' exchange in the 2023 NCAA championship game. There was a fierce debate over their perceived rivalry and it only intensified once they became the hottest prospects in the WNBA's rookie class. The media’s fixation on their so-called rivalry has been fueled by the same gender and racial bias that has haunted women’s sports for generations. And now that Clark and Reese have brought thousands of new fans to the sport, is it safe to say that this story line is what the WNBA needed?"

In this week's episode, Champion zooms in on the Women's National Championship game between LSU and Iowa to discuss the most significant moments and their cultural impact on history and women's basketball as a whole.

Through interviews with Jemele Hill, FlauJae Johnson, Chiney Ogwumike, Sabreena Merchant, Ryan Ruocco, and Terrika Foster-Brasby, Chapman highlights "the media's portrayal of the players, and the ongoing conversations around race and gender in sports" drawing attention to moments that occurred during the exact game that started the talents' rivalry.

Check out the latest episode, "The BIG Game with a LITTLE Trash Talk. LSU vs IOWA", on iHeartRadio now for the full scoop.

The Ben Maller Show