Caitlin Clark is at the center of an exhausting and bizarre discourse about the WNBA. While quite a few people across the sport try to blame her for a rise in racism, Sue Bird believes the Rookie of the Year is being used as a pawn.
It is a fresh perspective amid a whole lot of mind-numbing drivel.
Clark, who is white, also happens to be the biggest draw in league history. The WNBA can directly attribute its rise in popularity to the No. 1 overall pick. Not only did she increase television ratings to previously unfathomable numbers, she sold out (almost) every single game at home and on the road.
To say that Clark is the only reason that popularity is up would not be fair. To say that she is not the primary catalyst (by a large margin) would also not be fair.
Unfortunately, as is the case with anything, with an increase in fans also comes an increase in haters. And the players were not prepared to deal with the latter. They are extremely upset by the online trolls who overwhelm their social media accounts with negativity.
A pair of Chicago Sky players were brought to tears over the “disgusting” comments. Brittney Griner blamed “new fans” for increased racism during the WNBA’s most popular season.
There is no room for racism or hate in any aspect of life but it is kind of just part of the deal when it comes to the internet, and the ability to ignore those kinds of comments is a learned behavior. You aren’t going to stop @anonymousracist69 from being an anonymous racist with a polite request to stop.
To make matters worse, a large amount of this uptick in racism is being blamed on Caitlin Clark and her fans. Even Angel Reese did some of the finger-pointing.
Sue Bird wants it to stop!
Bird is a four-time WNBA champion. She is one of the greatest female basketball players of all-time.
The dialogue about Caitlin Clark does not sit well with her, as expressed on the ‘A Touch More’ podcast.
Can we just call a spade a spade? Racism has been impacting the WNBA well before this year. This is not a new thing.
— Sue Bird on ‘A Touch More’
Bird only retired in 2022 so she has a better perspective on the current state of the league, more so than other former players like Sheryl Swoopes. And in her eyes, this race-driven dialogue should not focus on Clark as an individual.
In that way I do think Caitlin is being used as a pawn. Caitlin didn’t bring racism into the WNBA. This has been happening. And that I think is what has been such a shock for all of us. That other people are surprised by this. We’ve been trying to tell you.
— Sue Bird on ‘A Touch More’
Not only does Bird believe that Clark fans are not responsible for the racist behavior, she does not blame any group of fans. Rather, it is people who act as though they are fans.
We’re talking about the faction of that group that is pushing racist agendas and is pushing hate and creating divisiveness online acting as fans, acting as Fever fans, acting as Caitlin fans.
Now whether or not they like basketball, I don’t know. But that’s the group of people we’re talking about.
— Sue Bird on ‘A Touch More’
There are plenty of holes in Bird’s opinion. However, the 43-year-old is the first prominent WNBA voice to speak up in defense of Caitlin Clark and her fans. That is a refreshing stance.