"To suggest that it is intentional or that people are being racist towards her leaves out a long history of women who have supported this league and started this league who were Black.It's very disrespectful to them," Champion told the panel.OK, then.But why do so many WNBA players, particularly Black players, display such obvious — and at times physical — hostility toward Clark?Is it simply because she is a straight White woman in a league that is roughly 70% Black or LGBTQ+?In part, yes.
But her identity alone isn't the issue.There's more to it.LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 08: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever passes the ball against Dearica Hamby #5 of the Los Angeles Sparks during the second quarter of the game at Crypto.com Arena on July 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) ((Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images))CNN’S ABBY PHILLIP CLAIMS GOP LAWMAKERS BACK CAITLIN CLARK ‘EXCLUSIVELY’ BECAUSE SHE IS WHITEThe problem, for many around the league, is that Clark refuses to play the role expected of her.She is a straight White woman who has declined to turn herself into a vehicle for the racial and sexual activism that increasingly defines the league's public image.That's an important distinction.The identity left, if you will, doesn't reject all White people.
Many would gladly vote for California Gov.Gavin Newsom for president.
They adored Sarah Spain throughout her years covering the WNBA.What they reject is the wrong kind of White person.Most White players in the WNBA have understood the assignment.Cameron Brink is White, blonde, engaged to a man, and looks like a supermodel.
She was drafted one pick after Clark in 2024.The WNBA establishment practically reveres her.Of course it does.From the beginning of her career, Brink has followed the script.
Before playing a single WNBA game, she volunteered an acknowledgment of her privilege."I could go way deeper into this, but I would just say growing the fa...