ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes Caitlin Clark’s absence due to injuries is a major factor behind the WNBA’s dip in ticket sales and viewership this season.
Smith’s take resonated with some fans but drew sharp criticism from rapper and media personality Benzino, who accused the TV host of betraying the league’s Black women players and creating division.
“If I were a black woman in the WNBA would not f*** with Stephen A. Smith,” Benzino said Saturday. “He went on a whole tirade today about how black women in the WNBA should really be careful about the Caitlin Clark situation because when Clark doesn’t play the viewership goes down.”
Benzino added, “Y’all never needed Clark. Y’all didn’t need Caitlin Clark to pop off to WNBA and y’all been doing fine just without her. He really wants The woman of Of WNBA To get penalized for playing hard on her. F*** Caitlin Clark.”
Statistics, however, paint another picture. Since entering the league in 2024, Clark has helped generate record-breaking interest — more than 54 million viewers and 2.35 million fans in attendance. Yet the reigning Rookie of the Year has also faced repeated hard fouls and rough play. Some chalk it up to competitive basketball; others believe it’s fueled by resentment.
Smith addressed the issue Friday on Real Time with Bill Maher, calling Clark the WNBA’s “cash cow” and cautioning that excessive physical play could harm the league, especially with ratings dipping when she’s sidelined.
Trump’s Name Enters the Caitlin Clark Debate
Smith also floated the idea that former U.S. President Donald Trump might weigh in on Clark’s treatment. While he said he’s not calling for a federal investigation, Smith noted that Trump has a track record of jumping into high-profile stories to energize his base.
The conversation stemmed from an Aug. 3 Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Sean McLean, a former Trump staffer, titled “The WNBA and Caitlin Clark’s Civil Rights.” The article argued that Clark has endured excessive fouling and a “hostile workplace,” raising broader questions about how the league treats its top draw.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
