Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has stayed in the media spotlight since getting drafted in April. Clark was shoved to the ground during her game against the Chicago Sky. And many around the league started to speculate on the circumstances surrounding Clark’s rookie year and her popularity.
One ESPN host may have taken it past the point of hypercritical on Monday. Pat McAfee made statements on his show. In those statements, he alluded that the WNBA’s recent surge in popularity is due largely in part to Clark.
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.
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 3, 2024
My intentions when saying… pic.twitter.com/F6OHB4gvYh
Pat McAfee Under Fire For Caitlin Clark Comments
In the opening segment of his show, the former NFL punter introduced a game called “Guess Which WNBA Rookie.” The game showed various stats that illustrated the TV ratings, jersey sales, and attendance Clark has attracted since entering the league.
McAfee continued the segment by calling out media outlets for trying to change the narrative about the league’s success. In the midst of his rant, McAfee pleaded, “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.”
McAfee has since walked back his comments from the episode claiming that they were taken out of context.
Reporter Suspended After Uncomfortable Exchange
Clark has indeed put a new set of eyes on the sport. But a lot of the publicity she has received thus far has not been good publicity. Caitlin’s first viral WNBA moment was a down one. It came as a result of an awkward, inappropriate exchange with Indianapolis Star writer Gregg Doyel.
According to PEOPLE, Doyel has now been suspended and is no longer permitted to attend Indiana Fever Games this season.
“Gregg Doyel, the Indianapolis Star reporter whose awkward interaction with Caitlin Clark sparked backlash, has been penalized by the Indianapolis news outlet as the Indiana Fever begins their season,” PEOPLE wrote.
“According to former Star writer and longtime Indianapolis reporter Bob Kravitz, the Star and its owners, Gannett, handed Doyel a two-week suspension following the exchange with Clark during her debut press conference with the Indiana Fever on April 17.”