Caitlin Clark is no stranger to making headlines, whether it’s for her breathtaking three-point shots, her unapologetic swagger on the court, or, in this case, the controversy swirling around her alleged “white privilege.”
TIME’s 2024 Athlete of the Year has had a banner year, leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to another NCAA championship game before shaking up the WNBA. Clark helped resurrect the Indiana Fever, guiding them to their first playoff berth since 2016. But this time, the talk isn’t about her stats or her impact on the league; it’s about her addressing the elephant in the room—her race.
Enter ESPN’s loudest and most opinionated voice, Stephen A. Smith. On his Sunday episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the veteran analyst clapped back at Clark’s critics with the kind of passionate monologue only he can deliver.
“Let me tell you something,” Smith began, voice rising to the rafters. “When Caitlin Clark arrived in the WNBA, these women were flying coach, squeezing into middle seats next to crying babies and snackless flights! Two weeks in, and suddenly they’re flying charter like it’s the NBA. Coincidence? I think not! She’s been a catalyst, and y’all want to tear her down because she happens to be white? Give me a break!”
Smith wasn’t done. He detailed how Clark’s arrival brought a surge in TV ratings and national exposure, not to mention her influence in securing those long-overdue charter flights.
“She’s filling arenas! Games are on ABC and ESPN because of her,” Smith said. “And now folks want to act like she’s the problem? She didn’t invent the inequities in the WNBA! Caitlin Clark isn’t out here plotting to take anybody’s shine—she’s creating a spotlight big enough for everyone. Let’s not hate on her for being born white. That’s the only thing she had no control over!”
Clark’s Words Ignite a Firestorm
The uproar started after Clark, in her usual candid style, acknowledged her white privilege during a recent interview. While many appreciated her honesty, others saw it as unnecessary pandering. Outspoken conservative commentator Jason Whitlock didn’t hold back, unleashing his usual venom on Twitter.
“Caitlin Clark bends the knee. Kissing the rear of black women is a rite of passage in the WNBA,” Whitlock tweeted, adding more fuel to an already blazing fire.
Whitlock wasn’t alone. The week saw a parade of hot takes, each seemingly more outrageous than the last. But Clark found an unlikely champion in Stephen A., who refused to let the negativity overshadow her accomplishments.
A League Divided
Clark’s presence in the WNBA has undeniably sparked change, but it’s also highlighted the league’s longstanding tensions surrounding race, recognition, and resources. Critics argue that Clark’s rapid rise to stardom has come at the expense of black players who’ve long carried the WNBA.
Smith, however, called out the hypocrisy of blaming Clark for the league’s historical inequities.
“Let me make this clear: Caitlin Clark didn’t take anything from anyone,” Smith declared. “The WNBA has been underfunded and undervalued for years. Now she’s here, and suddenly people are talking about it like it’s her fault? Miss me with that nonsense!”
A New Era or More of the Same?
Love her or hate her, Caitlin Clark has become a lightning rod for change in the WNBA. Whether she’s redefining the league’s popularity or sparking uncomfortable conversations about privilege, one thing is clear—she’s not fading into the background anytime soon.
And as Stephen A. Smith so eloquently put it: “She’s the rising tide that lifts all boats—whether you like the boat or not.”
In a league that’s long battled for relevance, maybe it’s time to stop sinking and start rowing together.
