IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Caitlin Clark has once again found herself at the center of controversy.
This season, Clark has faced criticism over her treatment of the refs, which led to Cari Champion saying the WNBA is coddling the Indiana Fever star.
“That type of blatant favoritism annoys the hell out of me,” Champion said Wednesday on her Flagrant & Funny podcast.
“I don’t know if this is her fault, because I think it might be unfair for me to say that this is her fault. But at the same time, it’s like, why is she getting this special treatment? And it just is, yet again, another example of the league and its fans… being so precious with her.”
“The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I’m like, ‘I don’t like you. I don’t like the way you behave on the court,'” Champion said.
Even Clark has admitted that she could be better at dealing with the refs, but wouldn’t stop being passionate.
“I’m never going to lose that,” she continued. “I think there’s always ways to channel it and be better, and there’s moments where you need it, and there’s moments where you just gotta put it to the side and worry about it later. … The fire and the passion that’s what makes me me, and you never want to lose that. Honestly, I feel like I could probably play with a little bit more of that lately. That smile and that joy and that excitement that people love. I think more of that will help this team, too.”
On Wednesday, Clark found herself at the center of a firestorm when she unloaded on a ref after a no-call.
Caitlin Clark walks up to a referee and screams directly in their face.
Yikes. pic.twitter.com/3cfcesVDWZ
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) July 16, 2026
Another angle of Caitlin Clark getting heated with the refs. #Fever pic.twitter.com/v6OK1nysOS
— Chris Hagan (@ChrisHaganIndy) July 16, 2026
Here’s the play that upset Clark.
Caitlin Clark appeared to be limping after what she believed should have been called a foul.
After a no-call and visibly upset, Clark was issued a warning by the referee. pic.twitter.com/5xor2qqeOd
— espnW (@espnW) July 16, 2026
After the game, Clark explained her actions.
“I got kneed right in the quad, that hurts the ref can’t miss that, and then I have to play with a contusion on my leg the rest of the game. That’s ridiculous.”