CBS Exclusive: Stephen Colbert and Special Guest Caitlin Clark Discuss: “Athletes Are More Than Just Athletes: Basketball Star Reveals Injustices Female Athletes Endure to Achieve Success”

In an exclusive CBS interview that had viewers captivated, basketball sensation Caitlin Clark joined Stephen Colbert for a raw and honest conversation about the challenges female athletes face to achieve success. The interview, which aired on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, explored the struggles women endure in sports, often overshadowed by the glamor of the game. Clark, whose star power has soared in women’s college basketball, opened up about the inequalities that still exist for female athletes, offering a rare look into the unfair practices that have long hindered women in sports.

Caitlin Clark Lifts the Curtain: The Unseen Struggles of Female Athletes

The conversation began with Colbert, renowned for his insightful interviewing style, asking Caitlin about her meteoric rise in basketball. “Caitlin, you’ve become a household name in the world of college basketball. But as a female athlete, it hasn’t been without challenges. What are some of the struggles that fans may not realize about being a female athlete in a sport like basketball?”

Clark, who has faced both admiration for her skills and criticism for her boldness on the court, responded thoughtfully. “I think the biggest challenge is that people often only see the final product — the game-winning shot, the media attention, the accolades — but they don’t see the obstacles we face just to get to the court. Female athletes are constantly fighting for the same recognition, pay, and opportunities that our male counterparts automatically receive,” Clark said, her voice steady but filled with passion.

She continued, “It’s exhausting having to prove yourself over and over again. I work just as hard, if not harder, than many of the men in the game. Yet, the media coverage, the sponsorship deals, and the opportunities just aren’t the same.”

Gender Inequality in Sports: The Pay Gap and Lack of Recognition

Colbert, always willing to go deeper, pressed Clark on the specific gender inequalities she’s experienced in her career. “We know the pay gap in sports is a well-documented issue, but how does that disparity affect you as a female athlete in college basketball? What are some of the day-to-day realities of that inequality?”

Clark didn’t hold back. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” she said, her tone resolute. “While the men’s games get millions in sponsorship deals and media coverage, women’s games are still fighting for attention. When I look at the opportunities available to male athletes compared to female athletes, it’s clear that we’re playing by a completely different set of rules.”

She explained further, “The pay gap is real, and it’s been this way for a long time. Female athletes often have to prove themselves in ways that male athletes don’t, and we don’t get the same recognition for our achievements. It’s not just about the game itself — it’s about everything that comes with it, from sponsorships to visibility.”

The Double Standard: How Female Athletes Are Held to a Different Standard

As the conversation continued, Colbert brought up the double standards that female athletes often face, not just on the court, but in the public eye. “There’s a lot of attention on how female athletes look, how they behave, how they carry themselves. Do you feel that women in sports are held to a different standard than men, even when it comes to how we talk about them in the media?”

Clark nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. There’s a level of scrutiny that we face that’s different. If I have a bad game, it’s often not just about the game. It’s about my attitude, my appearance, or my demeanor. Male athletes, on the other hand, are rarely judged on anything other than their performance,” she said. “If a man has a bad game, people talk about how he can improve his performance. But if a woman has a bad game, it becomes about how she looks or whether she’s ‘too emotional’ or ‘too aggressive.’ It’s frustrating, to say the least.”

Clark, who has earned praise for her fierce competitiveness and on-court energy, explained that this double standard was especially evident when it came to media coverage. “We’re expected to be strong and graceful at the same time. It’s a double-edged sword, and no matter what you do, you’re always under the microscope.”

Mental Health and the Pressure to Be Perfect

Colbert, who has been vocal about the importance of mental health, shifted the conversation toward the psychological toll that such pressures take on female athletes. “With all the scrutiny, the pressure to perform, and the constant fight for recognition, how do you take care of your mental health as an athlete?”

Clark’s response was candid and heartfelt. “It’s hard. There’s always this expectation to be perfect — to be at the top of your game 24/7. And when you’re in the spotlight, everyone has an opinion. It’s mentally exhausting. I’ve had to learn to take breaks, to disconnect, and focus on my mental well-being,” she explained. “We need to start normalizing conversations about mental health for athletes. There’s a lot of pressure, and people don’t realize the toll it takes.”

She also mentioned the importance of surrounding herself with a strong support system. “Having a team around me that understands my mental health and supports me is crucial. We can’t keep pretending that everything is fine when it’s not.”

A Call for Change: What Needs to Happen Next?

As the interview wrapped up, Colbert asked Clark what changes she hopes to see in the future for female athletes. “What needs to change for future generations of women in sports?”

Clark’s answer was both hopeful and direct: “We need to continue fighting for equality in every aspect — from pay to recognition to the way we’re treated by the media. We need more opportunities, better representation, and a shift in how people view women in sports. We are athletes, not just entertainers. We deserve to be treated with the same respect and given the same opportunities as male athletes.”

Her message was clear: the fight for equality in sports is far from over, and it’s up to current and future athletes, along with the public, to demand better for women in the industry.