Several analysts have taken a firm stance on Caitlin Clark’s controversial offensive slump this season. Cari Champion was also one of the analysts who opined that the Indiana Fever superstar’s constant verbal tussles with officials have not worked in her favor. However, the WNBA analyst seemingly recieved backlash on social media from Clark’s fans for her earlier take.
In the latest episode of the Flagrant and Funny with Cari Champion & Jemele Hill, analysts discussed Clark’s impact on the sport and what she has brought to the league. However, Champions also addressed a section of Clark’s fans who had nothing to do with basketball. She said:
“There is that vitriol that comes with her clan of people who support her that I can’t really get behind. I think that I understand if you’re upset and you don’t like her. It comes with all players, but it’s a layer of coded language that feels like racism, I’ve never been called so many n-words, and see you next Tuesdays and jealous.”
Champion added that she recieved severe backlash from fans and the media for “a basketball opinion.” She also highlighted the earlier instance where she defended Clark but addressed the hypocrisy of some fans. She said:
“Some of her fans are so unhinged and I think it speaks to a larger issue of what’s happening in our world today and people don’t wanna talk about it, but it is a microcosm of a bigger problem that we have with this hatred of black vs. white and being so polarized.”
The analyst went on to highlight the bigger issue of racism and claimed that a section of fans used the opportunity to express their hate. It’s not new that fans get behind their favorite players in extreme ways. Several players from different leagues have highlighted the issue of trolling and name-calling on social media.
“Caitlin Clark clan have made it about race,” Cari Champion berates Caitlin Clark fans for spreading hate
Cari Champion went on a long rant about how certain fans of Caitlin Clark have tried to spread hate under the disguise of basketball. She wondered about their anger over the analyst’s take on the Fever guard’s basketball woes.
Champion said:
“Caitlin Clark clan have made it about race and made it about something that has nothing to do with what’s happening actually on the court.”
Jemele Hill also agreed with Champion and shared her observation that fans use “jealousy” to criticize Black analysts who give their opinions on Caitlin Clark. Trolling has been an ongoing issue in the WNBA, and several players, including the Iowa native, have addressed it publicly.
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