When star talent like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were slated to turn pro this year, the WNBA said it was ready.

The league increased its marketing efforts and its television partners devoted more time to covering the sport. They all hoped to capitalize on the college tournament’s momentum as women’s basketball moved closer to the around-the-clock coverage of other major sports.

While the WNBA’s ratings skyrocketed, the additional attention also increased intense conversations on TV shows, podcasts and social media. Pundits had heated arguments with colleagues, players described the racism they had experienced, and the players’ union openly reprimanded the league’s commissioner.

Here are some of the most memorable moments of media dialogue during this WNBA season, which headed into the playoffs this week.

Physical play

During her record-breaking career at the University of Iowa, Clark, who is white, was often touted as the future face of the WNBA, a league in which about 70 percent of players are black. After posting their first overall score, the Indiana Fever certainly became the center of attention.

In a remarkable encounter on the court, Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter knocked Clark to the ground with his shoulder. Carter, who was later charged with a flagrant foul and refused to answer questions about the encounter after the game, later took a swipe at Clark on social media.

On the popular ESPN debate show “First Take,” commentator Stephen A. Smith said that some WNBA players might be jealous of Clark’s popularity and that they should use their fame to collectively improve the league rather than seek revenge against her .

Monica McNutt, an ESPN basketball analyst, responded that she didn’t think Carter’s foul was indicative of the entire league’s feelings toward Clark. In a conversation that lasted about 40 minutes, McNutt said she felt discussions about the WNBA lacked nuance. The segment ended with McNutt accusing Smith of not reporting consistently on the league.

“Stephen A., with all due respect, with your platform you could have done this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt said.

Olympic debate

The United States’ decision to ignore Clark in selecting the Olympic basketball team was perfect fodder for sports talk shows.

On First Take, analysts Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter said Clark hasn’t yet earned a spot on the roster in place of more experienced players. Smith and Shannon Sharpe, a former professional football player, countered that Clark’s fame would generate more fan interest and more revenue. (The U.S. women went on to win gold.)

Smith then told Carter to take the same approach to her television job.

“I’m telling you right now that if you don’t understand marketing, you’re going to be underpaid for the rest of what I think will be your illustrious career,” he said. “It is important.”

Carter responded: “I hear you, Stephen A., but I will not sacrifice my basketball knowledge and integrity regarding the game for marketing. My marketing is going well.”

Online harassment

With many more eyes on the WNBA this season — 22 regular-season games, most featuring Clark, averaging more than a million viewers — some players spoke openly about online harassment they had experienced.

The Fever’s Aliyah Boston said negative comments from fans caused her to delete her social media from her phone. Reese, who became a lightning rod after taunting Clark in the closing seconds of last year’s NCAA championship game, said on a podcast that she was followed home by strangers and doctored nude photos of her were sent to family members. Reese, who plays for Sky, was also repeatedly called a “thug” on the internet.

When asked on CNBC about the vitriolic discourse surrounding race and sexuality, Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA commissioner, advised players to stay away from social media but did not directly condemn racism.

After receiving backlash from players and Terri Jackson, the executive director of the WNBA players’ union, Engelbert made it clear in a statement that “there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA,” Jackson said in a statement, that “fandom.” should enhance the game, not destroy the very people who bring it to life.”

Singing legends

Retired players have also weighed in on the debate.

Sheryl Swoopes, the first basketball player to wear a signature shoe, notably didn’t mention Clark during a podcast when discussing the Fever’s improved play after the Olympic break. Lisa Leslie, a three-time winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player Award, then said on social media that Clark and Reese both deserved the Rookie of the Year Award. (Clark was unanimously announced Sunday as the winner of the Associated Press award.)

Shortly after her post spread widely, Leslie responded that the discourse was setting up the game.

“That’s what it’s all about!” she said. “You watch, support, debate.”