There are no indications that the Caitlin Clark dispute will end anytime soon. Many WNBA fans were incensed when former NFL running back LeSean McCoy entered the fight on June 17 and took a shot at Clark. It all began when McCoy, who goes by the nickname “Shady,” expressed his opinions about Angel Reese’s controversial foul against Clark during the June 16 game, which resulted in a 91-83 loss for the Chicago Sky over the Indiana Fever.
McCoy stated on the “Speak” podcast that he didn’t think Reese’s altercation was planned. He attributed it, instead, to “basketball play.” Nevertheless, he claimed Clark will lose her “passion for the game” if the WNBA keeps treating her badly and chastised them for not giving her enough playing time. McCoy criticized the
league for undervaluing Clark and giving her credit for the explosive growth in viewership of women’s basketball. “The Messiah is right there. Before Clark, no one was watching women’s basketball,” he asserted. Whoa, man.
Fans went to X, which was once Twitter, to express their emotions. “Angel Reese is Zeus if Caitlin Clark is the Messiah. Without the other, one wouldn’t even exist,” a fan wrote. “Speak for yourself, I have been a WNBA fan since Liberty vs. Sparks at Great Western Forum, the league’s inaugural nationally televised match, in 1997. Everyone wants to talk about the WNBA all of a sudden. Where was this three or ten years [ago]?” another person remarked.”There are four men who don’t follow women’s hoops. The lack of knowledge. Whew “says another.LeSean McCoy’s comparison of Caitlin Clark to Tom Brady and Michael Jordan infuriated WNBA fans even more. He stated that the athlete is the key to monetizing the sport by drawing in viewers, thus the WNBA needs to treat her better if it hopes to start making huge money. McCoy swore, “I’m not watching if she’s not playing.”
The former NFL player has already made fun of the basketball player. He discussed his feelings about Clark not attending the Olympics in the most recent “Speak” episode, which aired on June 10. He pointed out that the women’s team doesn’t have to worry about carrying on their winning streak because they have already won seven gold medals at the Olympics. McCoy asserted that
Once again, he gave Clark credit for “growing this game,” which was the actual struggle.
McCoy asserted that Clark is the greatest player in WNBA history and questioned the rationale behind her removal from the team given her exceptional ability to spark global interest in the sport. He also took issue with the meager compensation that WNBA players like Clark receive. “What is the maximum amount a woman can earn in a contract? 250 annually?” McCoy enquired. Is that the situation? Man, get moving!”
It’s not only LeSean McCoy who wonders why basketball player Caitlin Clark isn’t traveling to Paris for the 2024 Olympics with the rest of the team. There has been a lot of speculation on social media. But according to two different sourcesinformed USA Today that the selection panel’s choice to pass on Clark was heavily influenced by her popularity. “How Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time on a stacked roster was a factor in the decision making,” the report said, citing official concerns.
Although panel chair Jen Rizzotti recognized that there is a lot of talk and excitement surrounding Clark, she stressed that it was not Clark’s superstar status but rather her lack of game experience and the mix of player talents required for the squad that prevented her from being selected. According to Rizzotti, who spoke to the Associated Press, “there were other players that were harder to cut because they checked a lot more boxes when you base your decision on criteria.”
“Then sometimes it comes down to position, style of play for Cheryl [Reeve], and then sometimes a vote.”
Jim Tooley, CEO of USA Basketball, expressed his excitement about the team they are sending to France to the Associated Press in the meanwhile. According to him, the team consists of “veterans, newcomers, and those in the middle,” and it has the ideal balance of talent and talents. Tooley attributed the U.S. women’s team’s dominance at the Olympic Games to their selection abilities.
