Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark recently got hailed as TIME Magazine’s Athlete of The Year, and people from in and outside of the sports industry had a lot to say about her receiving the recognition. For NBA analyst and broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, the hate Clark is getting, is a perfect example of what he called “reverse racism.”
Part of Clark’s TIME interview was a bit where she admitted to having “white privilege,” and acknowledging that black women, in WNBA and in all of professional sports, need to be “elevated.”
This statement gained a wide range of reactions, including hate towards Clark. Smith condemned this and gave his view on why Clark, amidst the hate, deserves the Athlete of The Year recognition.
Sep 25, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
“Her presence led to higher ratings, improved travel for players, and increased salaries for women across the league,” Smith said. “And that’s where I was going to go. That’s why she deserves the Athlete of the Year. You know what? She’s white. Call it whatever you want. I’m not going to go as far as to say reverse racism.”
“I don’t think people felt that way. But clearly, when you consider some of the hard times other people gave her, they were resentful of the fact that this white girl came on the scene where there was a bunch of sisters that preceded her spanning decades that were big time, that deserved a lot of credit.”
Stephen A. Smith Calls Caitlin Clark “A Sister”
Amidst the hate that Caitlin Clark is getting from her recent statement, Stephen A. Smith highlighted that not only can Clark play basketball well, but she has also carried the WNBA to a whole new level.
Nov 13, 2024; Belleair, Florida, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) participates in The Annika golf tournament Pro Am at Pelican Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
“What a lot of people weren’t willing or were a bit reluctant to appreciate was the game on this young white sister of ours,” Smith said. “She can ball. And oh, by the way, she was a great ambassador for the game. And by the way, she came in there and looked out for everybody else. That’s who Caitlin Clark is.”
Because of this, Clark is “a sister” to Smith.
“That’s why white, black or otherwise, I call her a sister,” he added. “Cause she looked out for the sisters and everybody else in between. Yes, she did.”
Nov 13, 2024; Belleair, Florida, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) hits a shot during The Annika golf tournament Pro Am at Pelican Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Caitlin Clark is still enjoying her off-season from the WNBA, exploring other activities and gigs outside of throwing hoops, such as getting paid $100,000 for a thirty-minute virtual talk.
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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.
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.
