Cari Champion has lit a fire under Caitlin Clark's loyal supporters after accusing the WNBA of giving the rookie phenom special treatment. The former ESPN host didn't mince words on her podcast, and Clark's fans are pushing back hard.
During a recent episode of Flagrant & Funny, Champion and co-host Jemele Hill discussed Clark's rise in the league. Champion didn't hold back, saying the league's handling of Clark reeks of favoritism. "That type of blatant favoritism annoys the (expletive) out of me," she said. "I don't know if this is her fault... But at the same time, it's like, why is she getting this special treatment?"
Champion's critique went further, targeting Clark's on-court demeanor. "The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I'm like, 'I don't like you. I don't like the way you behave on the court,'" she said, per Awful Announcing. She added that the league is positioning Clark as its superstar, but with that comes responsibility—and she believes Clark isn't living up to it.
Clark's fan base, arguably the most vocal in women's sports, wasn't having it. Social media erupted with defenses of the rookie guard, who has already broken records and drawn massive attention to the WNBA. One fan pointed out, "I think Champion selectively forgets CC has been near the top of the league in technical fouls received as well as cheap shots taken in her short career." Others noted that officials have been criticized for how they handle calls involving Clark, including a recent controversial flagrant foul that sparked debate.
Another fan argued, "Champion must not have watched the last 2 years if she thinks CC gets favorable calls." Some drew comparisons to NBA legends, with one saying, "Michael Jordan had the same policy by the NBA... Touch him and he gets free throws." The sentiment was clear: Clark's treatment is no different from other superstars.
Champion's comments come amid a heated season for Clark and the Fever. The team has faced scrutiny over coaching decisions, leading some fans to vow to boycott until head coach Stephanie White is fired. Meanwhile, Clark's off-court life has also made headlines, including a recent date at an MLB game during a day off.
Despite the backlash, Champion is standing by her take. But Clark's supporters aren't backing down, arguing that the rookie deserves respect, not criticism, for her impact on the league. As one fan put it, "Why can't all these wannabes just leave CC alone and let her do what she does best?"
The debate over Clark's treatment is far from over. Whether you see favoritism or just superstar treatment, one thing's for sure: Caitlin Clark isn't going anywhere, and neither are her fans.
