This past week, Caitlin Clark’s prominence went to a different level when no less than 11 House Republicans sent a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, asking her to address “repeated acts of of physical hostility and violence” against the Indiana Fever star.
While the letter sent by these members of the U.S. Congress had a serious tone, not all members of the media bought in to the sense of urgency. On Saturday’s edition of the CNN show “Table for Five,” anchor Abby Phillip appeared to giggle at the thought that lawmakers would get involved in Clark’s situation. Additionally, sports journalist Cari Champion had a strong reaction to the claims that Clark was being targeted for racially motivated reasons.
“To suggest that it is intentional or that people are being racist towards her, leaves out a long history of women who’ve supported this league, who were Black. It’s very disrespectful to them, the women who are the foundation of the league.”
On social media, fans directed some hostile reactions towards Phillip and Champion.
Though Clark has been on the receiving end of tremendous physicality over the past three seasons in the WNBA, her situation was thrust in the limelight after a June 24 matchup between the Fever and the Phoenix Mercury.
That was the night when Alyssa Thomas appeared to ram her hand onto Clark’s throat as the Fever guard lay on her back. Since then, everyone from Fever head coach Stephanie White to U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in on the matter.
Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller Disagree on Caitlin Clark as They Pick Their Personal All-Star Starting Five
Meanwhile, during the post-game NBC coverage on Saturday, Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller had different takes on Caitlin Clark as an All-Star.
When the two women’s basketball legends were asked to pick their starting lineup from this year’s crop of All-Stars, they agreed on four names: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Olivia Miles. However, Bird went with Clark while Miller opted for Kelsey Mitchell to complete her five.
Bird explained that Clark can “run and shoot the three,” making her a good fit for Bird’s hypothetical All-Star squad.
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