ESPN host Pat McAfee defended Indiana Fever newcomer Caitlin Clark on Monday, emphasizing that her popularity in women’s basketball is a result of her talent, countering claims that her race is the primary factor.
The Women’s National Basketball Association has seen increased interest recently, partly due to Clark’s presence in the league. Some have attributed her popularity to her being white, with The View co-host Sunny Hostin asserting that Clark benefits from “white privilege.”
McAfee refuted these allegations, pointing out that many other WNBA athletes have gained popularity without being white.
“So I think what we’re trying to say is what the WNBA currently has is what we like to describe as a ‘cash cow,’ there is a superstar,” McAfee said. “And we’re not saying that the players on the court need to act any differently—athletes are going to do what athletes are going to do in any sport. I think we’re all learning that the WNBA, that’s old-school football, baby! That is old-school football! But I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘this rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class,’ nah, just call it for what it is, there’s one white b**** for the Indiana team who is a superstar.”
Monday’s Pat McAfee Show opened with a Caitlin Clark PowerPoint:
“I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class’. Nah, just call it for what it is — there’s one white bitch for the Indiana team who is a superstar.” pic.twitter.com/psGNQXts5O
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 3, 2024
McAfee suggested that Clark’s popularity could be due to her breaking numerous records in her basketball career or perhaps because people simply enjoy watching her play due to her electrifying performance.
“What you have is somebody special, and we’re lucky she’s here in Indiana,” McAfee said.
After the show, McAfee apologized on X for referring to Clark as a “white b****,” expressing that he has “way too much respect for her” to use such a term. He also mentioned sending Clark an apology.
I shouldn’t have used “white bitch” as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.
My intentions when saying… pic.twitter.com/F6OHB4gvYh
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 3, 2024
Clark appeared on McAfee’s show in April, where she stated she did not feel pressured to boost the WNBA’s popularity, asserting that it is growing naturally. She also shared that she never imagined women’s basketball becoming as popular as it is today and that she has loved the sport from a young age.
Over the weekend, the Indiana Fever defeated the Chicago Sky 71-70. A notable moment in the game occurred when Sky player Chennedy Carter pushed Clark to the ground, resulting in a foul that was later upgraded to a flagrant 1. Fellow Sky player and rookie Angel Reese was fined $1,000 for not speaking to reporters after the game.
Carter’s push against Clark was shared online by women’s sports activist and OutKick host Riley Gaines, who tagged Hostin and joked that Clark’s “privilege didn’t help her here.”
