Caitlin Clark continues to be the focus of much discussion on the WNBA, with some analysts, fans, and even politicians stating that she is the target of abuse by other players in the league. Some political pundits have even floated the idea that she’s the target of racism and discrimination for being a caucasian straight woman, who doesn’t fit the progressive values of the league.
Emmanuel Acho thinks that, at least on some occasions, the situations in which Caitlin Clark seems to be the recipient of abuse are of her own making. The sports analyst bought an instance of Clark playing defense against Chelsea Gray during Indiana’s 109-75 victory this Sunday. In it, Clark seems to collapse in pain despite not being challenged.
According to Acho, Clark’s fans are attacking Gray without any logical reason, as it’s the Indiana Fever star who:
“Ain’t in the weight room, cause Caitlin need to get a weight up, cause Caitlin ain’t tough, cause Caitlin acted soft,” said Acho (3:55)
Acho said that fans of Clark were attacking Gray, as if the Aces player had done anything wrong, when the pain the Fever player was in was entirely of her own making.
Caitlin Clark’s game was not necessarily the best, with 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, and Aliyah Boston led Indiana to victory, with 27, 20, and 19 points each.
Cari Champion disputes the idea that Caitlin Clark is the object of racism
The Caitlin Clark discussion has even become a full-blown political talking point, with the subject being discussed on CNN on Friday night. During the panel, former ESPN presenter Cari Champion disputed the idea that the Indiana Fever star was the object of racist abuse by her fellow WNBA players:
“To suggest that it is intentional or that people are being racist towards her leaves out a long history of women who have supported this league and started this league who were Black. It’s very disrespectful to them,” Champion told the panel.
The situation has also become important to Capitol Hill, with Republican Congressman August Pfluger demanding on social media action from the WNBA to protect Caitlin Clark this Tuesday.
Pfluger is also one of the leading members of Congress who sent a letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding that she take action to protect Clark, arguing that failure to do so could be considered a violation of federal civil rights law.
