Getty Image
Social media debates surrounding her fans and conversations about race over WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark have outshined Clark’s play on the court in the first month of her career.
But Clark says she’s tuning it out, and some fans weren’t happy with the answer she gave to a question about it all on Friday.
I asked Caitlin Clark how much attention she has paid to the controversy and conversation about what happened in the Chicago Sky game, and what her thoughts were on it. pic.twitter.com/TEY4yDLNrc
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) June 7, 2024
USA Today columnist Christine Brennan asked Clark if she paid attention to it and what her thoughts were on the matter during a shootaround ahead of the Indiana Fever’s game against the Washington Mysters.
Clark had this to say:
“I’m not on social media, so I don’t see a lot of it. But you would be surprised,” Clark said. “I still have my TV on in my house and I’m watching sports and you’re still aware of it, and you still see it. But other than that, my focus is basketball.
“Sometimes it stinks how much the conversation is outside of basketball and not the product on the floor and the amazing players that are on the floor and how good they are for their teams. And how great this season has been for women’s basketball.
“Going from college basketball and now the WNBA, some of the crowds are unprecedented and had never been seen before. The viewership’s amazing. But yeah, I mean, I try to block it out.”
Caitlin Clark Answer On Fans Didn’t Sit Well With Everybody Online
Seems like a rather innocuous answer.
“I’m focusing on basketball,” is the short version.
Some fans agreed.
I love the way she carries herself in interviews. Too many times reporters get mocked or disrespected for asking uncomfortable questions aka doing their jobs. She's so gracious even under all this scrutiny. Basketball aside that's just a solid human being right there. https://t.co/VMukNJbcCP
— Amy Hockert (@AmyHockert) June 7, 2024
Answered a question without getting defensive or having an attitude while remaining confident, but humble.. pure class https://t.co/MZcSIAQlCn
— ᗩᑎT ᗯᖇIGᕼT (@itsAntWright) June 7, 2024
But others feel like Clark should have addressed a portion of her “toxic” fans.
We have people like this bringing their toxic fandom to the WNBA. The worst thing about Caitlin Clark is the type of fans she brings. She is bringing a segment of white racists who are making everything about race. https://t.co/3xKFVxLfad
— TheBackHandofTruth🇺🇸 (@backhandoftruth) June 2, 2024
I get drowning out noise but this exemplifies the privilege she has. She gets to check out of these convos and not speak to the negativity on social media surrounding her while many of her counterparts get chastised for avoiding questions regarding her. https://t.co/8QUblK96Rj
— REX (@almightyy_rex) June 7, 2024
white women are gonna white women. this is a terribly ignorant response to it all. and the Sky can't just quiet it out of their locker room when *her* fans are stalking and harassing them outside of basketball. https://t.co/WKjdQDLPEK
— anxious & queer (@a_o_snow) June 7, 2024
Clark’s race has been a topic of discussion for several weeks now. Both fans of hers and those who aren’t have argued about how it plays a role in her treatment and coverage.
So it’s not surprising to see people wanting her to do more.
But ultimately Clark just wants to ball. And she’s not really obligated to do anything else.