‘DESERVED’ Stephen A. Smith Shocks Co-Host With Surprising Statement About Caitlin Clark’s Abuse
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The WNBA is in its 28th season, but it’s only in the last year that the league has truly captured the national spotlight. Much of that attention can be traced directly to Caitlin Clark, the dynamic guard whose arrival has sent ratings and ticket sales soaring. Yet, as her star has risen, so too has the scrutiny—of her, her opponents, and the league itself.
Clark’s rookie and sophomore campaigns have been marked by breathtaking highlights and bruising lows. She’s been the victim of hard fouls, elbows, and what many fans see as targeted physical play. The most recent flashpoint came when Marina Mabrey delivered a hard shove that left Clark on the floor and social media ablaze. As the debate raged, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in, and his comments quickly went viral.
Stephen A.’s “But” Moment
Smith began by acknowledging what everyone can see: “Clearly, when it comes to Caitlin Clark, there’s some resentment.” He didn’t shy away from the facts—Clark is the WNBA’s “golden goose,” the star “lifting all boats,” and the player most responsible for the league’s newfound relevance. But Smith’s analysis didn’t stop there.
“There’s also resentment towards her because she instigates resentment sometimes,” Smith said. “Caitlin can antagonize you now. Remember in college, the whole Angel Reese thing with her started because when Caitlin was giving it to everybody else, she was the one waving in their face. That’s why when Angel Reese and LSU got a hold of her, Angel Reese was like, ‘Yeah, it’s your turn.’”
Smith argued that Clark, far from being a passive victim, is a fierce competitor who dishes out as much as she takes. “She got a comeuppance and she was big enough to embrace it and accept it and say, ‘Yo, I deserve it. It was my turn.’”
The Double Standard Debate
Smith’s co-host, however, wasn’t convinced by the “she brings it on herself” argument. “That move right there is the move that leads her to getting crushed on inbound passes, elbowed to the head, and generally just having her ass kicked the entire time,” he said, referencing Clark’s signature trash talk and swagger.
The conversation quickly shifted from on-court antics to deeper issues of perception in the league. “I thought [Stephen A.] was going to say it’s because she’s white and straight in a league that often is lesbian,” the co-host remarked, highlighting a cultural divide that some believe fuels resentment toward Clark. He compared Clark’s situation to Tiger Woods and Venus and Serena Williams—athletes who entered their sports as outsiders and faced both adulation and backlash.
The Economics of Stardom
Beyond the cultural and competitive dynamics, the panel zeroed in on another uncomfortable truth: the WNBA’s business model. Despite recent surges in attention, the league still struggles financially. “Do you know what the average salary is in the WNBA right now? $75K,” one host noted. “If you are a professional at the highest level of your ability and you make $75K, it’s like embarrassing.” The fines for on-court infractions, they joked, are about as painful as “getting a parking ticket.”
The hosts argued that the WNBA has failed to capitalize on its moment. “Golf and tennis both—one male sport, one female sport—said, ‘Let’s all make more money and take advantage of more eyeballs on us.’ And they don’t seem to be able to do it in the WNBA, which I think is a failure of leadership.”
The Injury Risk and Missed Opportunities
Clark’s recent injury, which briefly sidelined her, underscored another risk: the league’s dependence on a single star. “If Caitlin Clark… tore her ACL, she’s out for a year. I don’t know that that interest level is going to stay the same. You got to make the money while you can.”
Shockingly, the hosts noted, Clark doesn’t even have her own signature shoe yet—a missed marketing opportunity that would be unthinkable in the NBA or even women’s tennis. “This is one of the most illogical, screwed up failures that we’ve ever seen in terms of taking advantage of the proverbial golden goose,” one said.
A League at a Crossroads
Smith’s comments—part defense, part critique—reflect a broader tension in the WNBA. Clark is both a magnet for new fans and a lightning rod for old resentments. She’s been welcomed and targeted, celebrated and battered, all while carrying the weight of the league’s future on her shoulders.
As the WNBA heads into the heart of its season, the questions loom larger than ever: Can the league protect its stars without stifling competition? Can it bridge cultural divides and embrace new audiences? And most urgently, can it find a way to convert this unprecedented attention into long-term financial stability?
For now, the spotlight remains squarely on Caitlin Clark—and on a league still struggling to decide what to do with its own good fortune.
