Caitlin Clark’s rise has been meteoric. From NCAA records to the cover of TIME as Athlete of the Year, she’s become the face of women’s basketball and a lightning rod for debates far bigger than the game itself. But as her star has soared, so too has the scrutiny—none more intense than the recent controversy sparked by her own words, and the surprising voices that rallied both for and against her.
The Spotlight Gets Hotter
It all began with the kind of media frenzy that only surrounds transformational athletes. The WNBA, long hungry for a breakout superstar, found one in Clark. Her games drew sellout crowds, her highlights dominated social media, and her jersey sales shattered records. But with this newfound attention came an avalanche of opinions—some celebratory, others critical, and many tinged with the complexities of race and cultural politics.
When Clark was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year, it should have been a moment of unalloyed triumph. Instead, it became a flashpoint. In the accompanying interview, Clark acknowledged the privilege that comes with being white in a league built by Black women. She said, “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there’s a privilege. And a lot of those players in the league who have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”
Her remarks, intended as humility and respect, instead ignited a national debate.
Megyn Kelly’s Critique
Among the loudest voices was Megyn Kelly, the conservative commentator known for her sharp takes. Kelly accused Clark of “bending the knee” to the so-called “woke mob,” suggesting that Clark’s acknowledgment of privilege was unnecessary and even condescending. “She feels the need to acknowledge her white privilege. Basically, she’s sorry she’s white. She feels really bad about it, though, so you should give her a pass,” Kelly said on her show, arguing that Clark’s comments amounted to an apology for her own success.
Kelly’s critique didn’t stop there. She claimed that Clark was pressured by league and media forces to appease critics, and that her comments were an act of self-flagellation rather than genuine humility. “You can’t have it both ways,” Kelly insisted. “If she really just wants the spotlight to be on the deserving Black players who surround her and on whose backs this league was built, then you shouldn’t have taken the honor.”
Candace Owens Steps In
Enter Candace Owens, another prominent conservative commentator—but this time, with a surprising twist. Owens, often at odds with mainstream narratives, came to Clark’s defense. “She’s 22 years old,” Owens said. “I don’t know a single commentator out there, Megyn Kelly included, who did not at some point throughout their political career have the wrong perspectives. But for whatever reason, we’ve decided Caitlin’s not allowed that time to grow.”
Owens pointed out the double standard at play. “This girl is literally being bullied, physically bullied, on the court. And we know the basis of that is quite racist,” she argued, referencing the physical play Clark has endured and the racial undertones that have sometimes accompanied it. “I think she just wants to survive. I think genuinely Caitlin just wants… to play basketball.”
Owens’ defense was rooted in empathy and realism. She acknowledged Clark’s youth, the pressures she faces, and the impossibility of navigating the spotlight perfectly. “Her swift rise to stardom often makes it easy to forget that she’s still just beginning her journey,” Owens said, urging critics to offer Clark “some grace and understanding.”
A Chorus of Reactions
The debate did not end with Kelly and Owens. Sports personalities and commentators across the spectrum weighed in.
David Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, dismissed the idea that Clark’s popularity was about race. “Anybody who has actually watched women’s basketball or watched Caitlin knows she plays totally different than any woman before her,” he said, emphasizing that Clark’s extraordinary talent is what sets her apart.
Legendary broadcaster Dan Patrick encouraged everyone to appreciate Clark’s brilliance. “Can’t we just acknowledge Caitlin Clark changed the WNBA? That’s it. It’s okay,” he said, comparing her impact to Wayne Gretzky’s effect on hockey.
Even Stephen A. Smith, known for stirring controversy, praised Clark’s heart and intellect. “She brings big time play to the equation, big time attention, and then she steps out. Absolutely no obligation to do so. And she points out the disparity in treatment between her as a white player and Black players who preceded her and achieved so much but lack the level of recognition she received. Her heart has been in the right place.”
The League Responds
Within the WNBA, reactions were mixed. Sheila Johnson, owner of the Washington Mystics, suggested that the entire league should have been honored, not just Clark. “Why couldn’t they have put the whole WNBA on that cover and said the WNBA is the league of the year because of all the talent that we have?” she asked, arguing that singling out one player creates hard feelings and stirs up racial tensions.
But others, like analyst Jim Jackson, pushed back. “From a pure marketing perspective, Caitlin Clark was it,” he said, noting that the league’s surge in viewership and popularity was largely fueled by her presence.
The Weight of Representation
Through it all, Clark has tried to keep her focus on basketball. “I earned everything I got,” she told TIME, while also paying tribute to the pioneers who made her success possible. She has become, willingly or not, a symbol for debates about race, privilege, and recognition in sports.
Gilbert Arenas, former NBA star, offered a pragmatic perspective: “It’s good for the W because it just keeps putting a light on the sport for everybody else to eat. The more loaves that someone gets, the more crumbs everybody else gets.”
The Real Story
What’s clear is that Clark’s story is bigger than her own stats or accolades. She stands at the intersection of sports, culture, and identity—a young woman carrying the hopes of a league, the weight of history, and the burden of polarized national debates.
Candace Owens’ defense was notable not just for its content, but for its spirit. She reminded everyone that Clark is still learning, still growing, and still just 22. “It’s important to offer her some grace and understanding,” Owens said, a rare call for empathy in a space too often defined by outrage.
Conclusion: Let Her Play
In the end, perhaps the best advice comes from Clark herself, echoed by those who truly love the game: let her play. Celebrate her brilliance, acknowledge the trailblazers who came before, and recognize that greatness in sports is never built alone.
Caitlin Clark’s journey is just beginning. The debates will rage on, but her impact—on the court and beyond—is undeniable. And as Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and countless others continue to weigh in, one truth remains: every era needs its stars, its controversies, and its moments of reckoning. For now, Caitlin Clark is all three—and the world is watching.
