Caitlin Clark is being targeted by WNBA players because she is ‘a white heterosexual woman in a black lesbian league’, according to Outkick founder Clay Travis.
Travis was speaking to Fox’s Sean Hannity, after Clark was brutally bodychecked by Chennedy Carter during her Indiana Fever team’s loss to Chicago Sky on Saturday. It was originally called an away-from-the-ball foul before being upgraded to a Flagrant 1 after the game.
Clark said in the buildup that rival players across the league were escaping punishment for being extra physical with her. The incident sparked a widespread debate on if Clark, the No 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, was being targeted for her race, as well as the attention she is getting in her rookie season.
‘It’s not just race though, it’s also sexuality,’ Travis said to Hannity this week. ‘Caitlin Clark is a white heterosexual woman in a black lesbian league and they resent and are jealous of all of the attention and the shoe deal that she got.
‘And instead of recognizing the truth, which is great athletes who people care about coming into your league really do get everybody more money.’
Clay Travis says Caitlin Clark is a WNBA target because she is ‘a white heterosexual woman in a black lesbian league’
Hannity responded: ‘Why do you say lesbian league? I mean, I don’t know anything about the sexuality of any of the girls in the WNBA.’
‘70% lesbian,’ Travis insisted. ‘And I think her (Clark) having a boyfriend, I think it’s a fiancé, who by the way said there needs to be an enforcer, creates two different identity politics universes that she doesn’t fit in in this league.
‘They don’t like her cause she’s white and they don’t like her cause she’s straight. And as a result, the league is coming undone around her even though she’s bringing in new fans.’
While there is no way of knowing the sexual orientation of every WNBA player in 2024, a study in April 2022 by the University of California said 38% players were lesbian.
Travis doubled-down on his comments on his X (Twitter) account, writing: ‘WNBA players, most of whom are black and lesbian, hate Caitlin Clark because she’s white, straight and makes more money than they do. Is this a remotely controversial take? What other reason is there for the league to hate her?’
He also wrote a column on the topic, saying: ‘Yes, race and sexuality are at play here, there’s a ton of jealousy from a mostly black and lesbian league.
‘But also, and this is key, if you busted your ass at work and were better than everyone else there and then a new hire made more money than you ever had in your entire career and you were way better than her, wouldn’t you resent her too?
‘Caitlin Clark is the highest paid women’s basketball player ever and she isn’t remotely close to the best. Now, again, maybe one day she will be. But right now she’s being paid more than anyone in the history of basketball and she isn’t the best player.’
Travis, the founder of Outkick, made the claims to Sean Hannity and later wrote about it
WNBA players, most of whom are black and lesbian, hate Caitlin Clark because she’s white, straight and makes more money than they do. Is this a remotely controversial take? What other reason is there for the league to hate her? https://t.co/wtIxYKtF2z
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 4, 2024
Clark’s salary in her rookie season with the Fever is actually fairly modest – she will earn around $76,535 from her contract in Indiana but it is the endorsements off the court where she make her money, such as the controversial shoe deal Travis mentioned to Hannity.
Clark struck a $28million, eight-year agreement with Nike – which came under fierce scrutiny as the deal was made before she had even played a game in the WNBA.
Jemele Hill was one critic, saying that A’ja Wilson, a two-time MVP, two-time champion and five-time All Star, deserved one before Clark. Wilson duly got her own deal with Nike shortly after Clark.
But Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy said Clark is ‘getting screwed’ in the deal. He said on X: ‘If people want to complain about Caitlin Clark getting screwed complain about this. 8 year 28 million deal is STEALING. 8 years 80 million min is her worth and that’s still prob too cheap.
‘I hope she has an early opt out if they don’t pay up when she blows through this deal. Men would 100% buy her sneakers. All girls who play hoop will. Devin Booker got 5 years 50 million. Caitlin is 100x the Star and impact.’
Players such as Clark and Angel Reese have helped hugely elevate the profile of the WNBA
Clark was picked first in the WNBA Draft in April, while Reese went at seven to Chicago Sky
While Clark has brought an extraordinary amount of attention to the WNBA, her Draft class has also helped grow interest in the league.
Angel Reese, Clark’s opponent from the Iowa-LSU college rivalry, left Louisiana for Chicago Sky in this year’s draft while Cameron Brink, Steph Curry’s godsister, joined the Los Angeles Sparks.
Clark returns to the court Friday night, when the Fever (2-8) host Washington Mystics.
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