There is an old principle, which economists call revealed preference, holding that we discover what people truly value not from what they announce but from what they do.
What should we call that, CISaphobia? Straightphobic?
I became a volunteer for a rape prevention group in the 1980s. I quit after half a year because the entire leadership and most volunteers were lesbians who were hostile, sometimes openly critical towards me for preferring the gender that does the raping.
Did you hear about the 3 black women in Longview Texas who just approached a white woman who was getting in her car in a parking lot and beat her senseless yelling “Free Karmelo”? And then one of them confessed to police that they went out hunting for the smallest white woman they could find to attack? I’m a small white woman and my five daughters are small white women and I don’t enjoy fearing for all of our lives because we’re small white women. If that makes me a bigot, ok. At least I’m not the kind of bigot who tries to beat people of other races to death because of their skin color.
Accusations of “racism” immediately open a can of media worms and often just turn into a tsunami of hot air. Bigotry, on the other hands-knows no intellectual covers-and is practiced by all shades, colors, genders and ethnicities of people on this globe. Someone needs to confront the WNBA on its bigotry-and the studio talking heads would be a good start.
Never mind "civil rights" law, she should sue Alyssa Thomas. If the claim against Bertuzzi can result in a large settlement in a game in which fighting is much more normalized, she would have a good chance to prevail here.
WNBA developed within its players an identity as a black lesbian league. Clark is famously neither of those identity components. She also routinely shoots the lights out and passes the ball with a wizard's skill.
Clark is a major disrupter within the WNBA and has become the face of the league, despite her being neither of the league 's self identity components. The league itself is filled with highly skilled players who are great to watch. Tenacious defense is a hallmark of the WNBA that is often missing in the NBA version of the game.
Of course she will remain a target of physical play. No player should be assaulted physically and the league needs to protect its players from such assaults. Not speaking of hard, aggressive play. That is part of what makes the WNBA great for fans.
I confess she got me interested in a league I had no interest in prior.
I recognize that she is among the top players in the game, but back in my day, there were rules against hand guarding and traveling which she employs on every drive. Her signature sidestep drop would be a turnover because she usually stops dribbling prior to repositioning her pivot and many fouls called on others are contact she initiated.
She gets lots of abuse but she is a flop artist too.
Do you understand the game or how it's played? She's the Fever's star, shes going to get a lot more physicality. They go wayyyyy harder on A'ja, but she's built a little tougher and can fend it off.
I'm not a fan but have watched several games to see what the buzz is about with Clarke. I've seen the same dirty play against her in every game I've watched. Checking, blocking and basic physical basketball is normal. Elbows to the face and throat when she doesn't even have possession is another and it's not even discreet.
Okay keep watching now that you've been watching. That's good. Usually it takes new fans about 3 or 4 seasons before they stop saying dumb stuff like that. I went through the same thing with college football
Ok, if it's just basketball, what would happen if she returned the violence in spades? Would the other players take it and respect her for giving back as good as she receives or would there be a gang fight brawl on the court? Would the WNBA treat her the same with fouling decisions?
Clark is iconic like a female Michael Jordan. That is wrong on three counts because she is white, straight, and talented. The part that is driving the hate is that she is different, even beautiful, and they are jealous. Much like the fight that Riley Gaines had to endure with trans swimmer Lia Thomas, formally William Thomas, and the fight against critical race theory that is behind the hate and intolerance. Now they claim that Clark’s clapping incites intolerance? A game loses its appeal when cheating is allowed and supported by officials who look the other way.
The issue with Gains is not the same as with Clark. Gains was deliberately subjected to obvious unfair and what should be illegal competition. Clark is being targeted by people who are appropriately her competition because she is white and strait and more talented than all the rest of them. Gains had a good basis, even a good legal basis, to complain that she was forced to compete against a man. Clark probably has a good complaint for race discrimination -- no joke, I litigated discrimination cases and this would be an easy win; Gains' legal case would likely be sex discrimination, but its much messier and more difficult to litigate.
With performance enhancing drugs, hormones, it is comparable. You are overlooking the mental aspect Clark is forced to deal with. She is smaller than many of the other players and a thug player could cause her grave physical harm. The mental harm of being forced in the locker room to dress with a male is also harmful. You are discounting wounds that are not treated by an emergency room physician.
Riley Gaines received a full scholarship to swim at the University of Kentucky, where she became a twelve-time NCAA All-American before focusing on her activism.
That's cool. NCAA all-american is not a particularly high honor though. That's like the top 20% of NCAA athletes. Some kids just don't compete well when they move up to college competition and she was not the best.
Also isn't it weird she spent all the time she did being upset about Lia Thomas but didn't report her coach who was sexually assaulting her teammates?
Call it prejudice. Call it bias. Call it anything you want. It’s blatantly racist and so hard to stomach that I don’t watch WNBA games anymore. Too bad because I really enjoyed the play but I get nauseated at the blatant racism and lack of consequences in WNBA games for the players who make a repeated point of going after Clark. It’s isn’t once in a while, it’s almost every play in every game. Officials, players, coaches and the league all look the other way to protect their own interests. But fans have noticed and I know many people who no longer watch WNBA or buy its merchandise because they are revolted by what they see in WNBA games.
It's so funny seeing all you basketball noobies. It's like a rivals dot com message board in 05. Instigating and taunting can get you technicals, yes. That is the rule. Now what usually happens is refs call them when theyve seen players building aggression towards each other and the last act is the one they catch and say "okay time to cut it out" that can be unfair I'll agree
But taunting is a technical foul. Refs are human and call them like they see it which might look dumb in hindsight. Welcome to the game.
Lmao it wasn't a punch in the neck. Watch the clip, don't make assumptions from a single photo. She did have a clenched fist, she did try to keep Clark down. It was not a punch.
I’ve watched basketball for more than 40 years. If anyone committed a foul in the NBA that was anywhere close to what was done to Caitlyn Clark, that player would have been suspended. Even Bill Laimbeer wasn’t that dirty.
It is a physical game - but the physicality should be distributed evenly, and disciplined evenly, across players. The fact that it isn’t speaks volumes. That’s the point of the post.
It is pretty well distributed. But other players push back better. Players are physical with Clark because she's Indiana's star. Stars always get the brunt because shutting them down means shutting down the offense. What makes it worse for Clark is she isn't too great at being a physically imposing force back. I mean that's fine and all, her attitude is more "watch the scoreboard I'm going to beat you there." But take A'ja. She's a better player in part because she also knows how to be physically imposing and players know if they get physical with her A'ja can stand up for herself and run up the points. That has the effect of making them back off too.
I’ve watched basketball for more than 40 years. I remember the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons and how they mauled Michael Jordan. But they didn’t go after him when he didn’t have the ball … if anyone mauled someone in the NBA the way Clark has been mauled, they would be suspended.
Watch videos of Ron Artest doing less than what was done to Caitlyn Clark, and being suspended several games for it. I remember watching the game where he elbowed someone in the face when the other player didn’t have the ball.
No. I’m telling you that the plays you’re referring to are not basketball plays. If those things happened to any other WNBA or NBA player, whoever did it would be suspended. The WNBA is allowing players to target Clark for some reason. And it’s stupid because she’s the reason people are paying attention.
lmao there was no throat punch. watch the clip, don't look at a still. it was aggressive, it was a foul, her hand is clenched as she holds Clark down, it is not a throat punch.
if you'd ever played football, you'd know when there's a pile-up (scrum if you're a rugby guy) you get your digs in, you punch, you jab, you hurt, it's not pretty, but yeah you always try to get away with what you can get away with
Another comment from someone who wants to talk about race but has never watched basketball.
Caitlin Clark is probably not even top 5 in the league. Reese, Wilson, Collier, Mabrey, Plum, Buckets - probably all better. Clark is definitely in the top 10 and is extremely dangerous in her assist game and she's really developed her 3's, but she snot outplaying the league right now. She's got a hell of a lot of drive though.
I actually looked into this. The only way a lawsuit could happen is if a bettor claimed provable damages. Then he could institute a civil RICO suit. In discovery it might come out that players and officials colluded to injure Caitlin.
Well, according to our Supreme Court, as long as there is a remotely plausible explanation for this behavior other than racism, then there is no legal grounds to do anything about it, right? Sorry, but you can’t keep playing the nonsensical reverse racism card anytime a person who is normally privileged faces the kind of adversity that others have lived with their entire lives.
Damn fucking skippy this is! I’m a sports journalist and can tell you he left out every bit of the real racial aspects of this whole fucking dilemma and manipulation act! He also is clapping back at me for my piece on her that actual involves and goes over the aspects of revenue and league growth that had nothing to do with her and everything to do with a 75mil revenue sale that happen two year before she entered the wnba! This is a report routed in blatant manipulation to try and say she is being targeted cause she is white and straight and make up “26% of the leagues revenue” if morally preposterous! Below is a more detailed analysis of the situation
She should retire and be a Talking Head on men's basketball telecasts, or maybe a coach at U. Connecticut, and enjoy watching the WNBA revert to its previous poverty. Sweet revenge.
She is a basketball player and would like to remain a basketball player - not a vehicle to exercise grievance. Two things can be true at the same time - that the league has vacated it's duty of care to a star player, and that said star player sees her popularity as a chance to elevate her beloved sport, as she has said publicly many times. I believe that a principled approach should take into account a player's own desires.
I imagine she might want to play in the Euro league for an Italian team if the WNBA maintains it's current level of cluelessness. She is, after all an international star, the fans are enthusiastic.
There are many women’s pro clubs in Euro League, and it’s where many WNBA players earn paychecks during the winter. It’s also where teams look for talent; The Lynx had 2 Czech players trying to make the team, for example and Emma Cechova was doing well until she tore her ACL. FIBA Basketball is the organization that manages the men’s and women’s leagues.
As others have said or intimated, the WNBA would rather be proudly and definitively “black” than financially successful. Upon Clark’s seemingly inevitable departure its descent into receivership will be swift and sure and virtually certain to be chalked up to
I interpret your comment to mean that WHEN she retires, as age and possibly continued injury make inevitable, THEN she should retire to a well-paid and well-earned expert commentator or coaching position. The WNBA will almost certainly revert to its former low popularity and earnings, and Clark will have the last and best laugh.
On that last short video clip of "the fist to Clark's throat," there were three assaults and three batteries that should be considered to be criminal (intentional violent conduct not connected to the sport's activity): Clark is down on the floor. The woman who attacked her appears to have moved intentionally toward Clark. Her movement was not falling, but one of deliberate lowering into Clark. First contact: knee to Clark's groin. This is a painful strike that can debilitate a woman. Second contact: the fist that first contacted Clark's collarbone/chest area and then apparently intentionally slid into her throat and stayed there while the woman on top leaned into Clark. Third contact: the attempted stomp that Clark successfully defended against. That was not simply the woman standing up and possibly attempting to regain her balance. The action was clearly an attempt to stomp Clark as she laid helpless on the floor as evidenced by immediate transfer of weight to the heel/sole of the foot as it hit the floor.
The WNBA is a boring sporting event that cannot exist without the NBA's financial support. Then comes Clark and she increases revenue by an astounding 25%. Clark takes the WNBA to another level. I don't care if the WNBA survives. Given its disregard of Clark's safety, it appears the WNBA doesn't care either.
I think a decent DA could make a real case for that. I don't remember what sport it was, football or maybe hockey, somebody was charged with assault for beating the piss out of some other player. That could happen here, and or go after them in civil court, and she'd never have to work a day in her life again, and it would send a hell of a message to the twats in charge.
I’ve been involved in contact sports for 10 years as a youngster. In combative combative sports and arts for 50 years. I taught Combatives and tactics full time for 45 years. I testified nationwide in court in force incidents for 34. I respect medical experts when they stay in their lane. When they say, “X is the injury,” no argument. But the method of injury is tough for them because that’s not their training. For example, a police officer puts a female in a rear wrist lock. She spins while the holds her hand and elbow stationary, sustaining a spiral fracture of the humerus. MD testifies the cop was at fault and her spinning had nothing to do with it. In two cases like this different doctors didn’t know what every jujitsu player knows what happens to an arm when the hand rotates away from the back like that. I’ve been struck and struck in the throat many times. In a definitive strike, there’s a reaction. Doctors see injuries damaging vocal cords at perhaps one injury for perhaps a 1000 strikes that are uncomfortable but not medically threatening (I’m sure I’m going to hear from medical types about this, but mad respect for your education). Same with groin kicks to males. 1 in a 1000 go to the urologist with a testicular injury. Could a throat strike hurt her (pain)? Sure. Could it cause injury? Yes. Could it kill her? Not likely with paramedics on-scene and trauma care nearby.
Coming back to Clark. She evinced no reaction to the fist. Her body was curling up in pain, likely from the knee to the groin. When punched/struck well in the throat, there’s a facial cringe and generally an attempt to swallow. Hand(s) often reach to the neck to protect it. The individual repeatedly attempts to swallow and coughs. Clark didn’t do any of that. Instead, she defended herself from the stomp.
I think I’m done with this thread. I wish you and Clark well.
Clark's comments after the game showed she had no physical damage to her vocal cords. While the fist that ended up more on her neck than her throat, it was not a "throat punch" (I'm not saying that the assailant didn't wish to land with her fist in Clark's throat, but the contact was first to the shoulder/clavicle and then slid into Clark's neck). Painful and intended to be so, but not debilitating to an athlete. To my mind, the knee landing on Clark's genitals caused a physical reaction that evinced severe pain. While not as debilitating as a knee strike to a male can be, women have always described it as very painful. That and the intended stomp Clark defended against, to my mind, were absolutely criminal and clearly intended to take Clark out of the game. This is not mind-reading. The likely results of these attacks, the pain of a knee strike as a very large woman landed on her, and especially the stomp by a very large, heavy woman to the body or head of a helpless woman on the floor could very well cause serious bodily injury. A one day suspension is insufficient as a deterrent to the repeated vicious attacks Clark has been subjected to.
The sport of basketball leaves players singularly vulnerable to unexpected injury by a malicious opponent, hence the protections of referees calling fouls. When any function of that protection by the league and/or officiating fails to protect a player, we see the sport devolve into violence. This is especially so when jealousy and envy combine with "othering" the targeted player (e.g., lesbian vs. straight). When othering is in play, any level of violence is seen to be justified. Clark is unsafe in the WNBA.
Thank you. I'm glad to hear this (in a way) - I wasn't aware that she'd spoken to the press.
Update: a later commenter says Clark didn’t speak to the press afterward and hasn’t spoken publicly yet. Can you check on this?
"Clark is unsafe in the WNBA."
Agreed, but there's zero chance she'll go to Europe or leave it, as I keep hearing so many people urge her to.
She's wanted to be in this league since she was a kid. It's like being in love with your abuser.
PS I was a very small kid when boxer Benny Paret was killed right on national TV. I remember because my dad was a big fight fan. I hope and pray nothing further happens to CC.
Nicholas DiNubile, MD, formerly the team doctor of the 76ers, confirmed that it could have been a disaster on X.
Since I can’t attach or link here it is in full:
“As a former NBA team physician (76ers) for many years, who has sat through many many games up close, I can say without hesitation that WNBA players and officials have somehow been signaled and cleared to neutralize or even harm (for reasons I cannot fully understand*) Caitlin Clark. …”
Someone (not me) responded: “As an orthopod, you agree that only a small additional force by AT would have put Clark in a wheelchair? I was an anesthesiologist, I see a nearly fractured CS and a transected spinal cord.”
DiNubile: “Indeed! It doesn't take much to crush the larynx. Could have been disastrous. Even life threatening. Inexcusable. Especially if as intentional as it appeared.”
Guys: “It doesn’t take much to crush the larynx.
This could have been a catastrophic injury.
*I think he does understand, he just can’t go that far.
Clark did not comment after that game. She was not in the presser afterwards and she has not given an interview since. You may be talking about her interview after the first game on Monday . She was not assaulted on Monday. AT and DB hurt her on Wednesday.
Thanks. I thought the interview I saw, where she named the referee was following the game where she was so brutally assaulted, whether the presser or another interview. I still stand by my assessments of the criminal conduct of Clark's attacker.
My eyes tell me that you’re a racist egged on by a Fox News fascist who's hoping you go burn down a gay bar to avenge The Pure and Stainless White Woman.
All 100% true! As an Iowan I have watched as the WBNA and NBA (because they own a good chunk of the WNBA) have allowed Clark to be used and abused. This latest episode with a fist to the throat, with no adverse action so far, was the most obscene. Number 25 needs to be unemployed, immediately.
It doesn't excuse anything at all. Personally, I think penalties should be much more harsh when players like Thomas display the same behavior repeatedly.
I think this failure to protect their golden goose comes from the fact that they are subsidized by the men's team. Due to this "socialist" arrangement they do not have to eat what they kill so they don't worry about the revenue. They will get theirs from the men anyway and not have to suffer the humiliation of being shown up by the straight white girl. Typical ghetto subsidized attitude with no recognition of financial realities.
At some point the NBA is going to decide there is no reason to continue the subsidy. The cultural reasons are fading and tax reasons will at some point as well.
If Clark is injured into a short career, possible as she missed most of last season to injuries, that might accelerate that end.
I think Clarke should retain council and seek to retain her full contract payment provisions, while being freed from her contract, to move on to another sport or activities as she so chooses. WNBA has proven they are NOT going to protect her from envious vengeance of other players and are not going to punish those actions. The WNBA and her team have broken their obligations to this player. How about the Fever coach have a "hit squad" of players it is willing to have suspended and fouled out of games to show the opposing teams what happens when you attack Clarke? Two can tango, unless one is a coward.
League cashes in on white star while allowing black athletes to publicly beat the piss out of her and putting its thumb on the scales to keep every call and plaudit from going her way… there is definitely an alternative explanation for this, and it’s ugly.
If it were truly about her whiteness or heterosexuality, she wouldn't be the only one taking such shots from other players. Ionescu, Citron, Plum, etc. don't seem to get the same dirty shots that Clark gets.
Thanks for bringing this situation to light! Personally I was appalled at her treatment by the WBNA! It was obvious she seemed targeted by refs and players! In short I looked at this as professional jealousy and yes, Racism!
I am basically not a sports fan. But even Ms. Clark came into my consciousness several years ago. She suffers to play better than most and I greatly appreciate this column making the points about her. I never paid attention to WNBA before her. Like roller derby, who cared really about the WNBA except a fringe interest group! This enmity towards her seems a combination of both talent envy and, as others have said in the comments, racism.
These bitter players are risking their paychecks and the League itself. One elbow too many and Clarke walks away from the game she loves and thought was a meritocracy, probably followed by a well-deserved lawsuit against the league. Support will collapse along with WNBA compensation, and the League will fold. Frankly, they deserve it. What are these people thinking?
I feel that there is enough footage of harassment and sheer hate that she can file a lawsuit against the WNBA and the women who incited the violence against her! She is a very talented player and she has endured a lot.
I am going to say the quiet part out loud … this is racism pure & simple .
Perhaps a lawsuit is in order?
I think it's hard to claim ONLY racism. Remember, she is also straight.
What should we call that, CISaphobia? Straightphobic?
I became a volunteer for a rape prevention group in the 1980s. I quit after half a year because the entire leadership and most volunteers were lesbians who were hostile, sometimes openly critical towards me for preferring the gender that does the raping.
I think it's normaphobia. They HATE everyone without their mental illness.
Wow, youre a bigot.
Did you hear about the 3 black women in Longview Texas who just approached a white woman who was getting in her car in a parking lot and beat her senseless yelling “Free Karmelo”? And then one of them confessed to police that they went out hunting for the smallest white woman they could find to attack? I’m a small white woman and my five daughters are small white women and I don’t enjoy fearing for all of our lives because we’re small white women. If that makes me a bigot, ok. At least I’m not the kind of bigot who tries to beat people of other races to death because of their skin color.
😂 😂 Alex jones. 😂😂
https://www.alexjoneslive.com/2026/06/21/free-karmelo-texas-woman-claims-she-was-racially-targeted-by-black-girls-viciously-beaten-outside-bar/
Are you being serious right now?
Look in a mirror. Observing reality does not make one a racist and speaking the truth does not make one a bigot.
Just like most of the wnba - great company to keep !
Well by definition, sports is not drawing in great intellects, on the teams or in the stands. Same for hollywood. skillbased entrtainment.
Yep, white and straight......obviously an outsider.
What could go wrong?
Accusations of “racism” immediately open a can of media worms and often just turn into a tsunami of hot air. Bigotry, on the other hands-knows no intellectual covers-and is practiced by all shades, colors, genders and ethnicities of people on this globe. Someone needs to confront the WNBA on its bigotry-and the studio talking heads would be a good start.
Excellent distinction
How many Subarus do you think are in the team parking lot?
She ain't straight darling
Never mind "civil rights" law, she should sue Alyssa Thomas. If the claim against Bertuzzi can result in a large settlement in a game in which fighting is much more normalized, she would have a good chance to prevail here.
WNBA developed within its players an identity as a black lesbian league. Clark is famously neither of those identity components. She also routinely shoots the lights out and passes the ball with a wizard's skill.
Clark is a major disrupter within the WNBA and has become the face of the league, despite her being neither of the league 's self identity components. The league itself is filled with highly skilled players who are great to watch. Tenacious defense is a hallmark of the WNBA that is often missing in the NBA version of the game.
Of course she will remain a target of physical play. No player should be assaulted physically and the league needs to protect its players from such assaults. Not speaking of hard, aggressive play. That is part of what makes the WNBA great for fans.
So much for being inclusive.
I confess she got me interested in a league I had no interest in prior.
I recognize that she is among the top players in the game, but back in my day, there were rules against hand guarding and traveling which she employs on every drive. Her signature sidestep drop would be a turnover because she usually stops dribbling prior to repositioning her pivot and many fouls called on others are contact she initiated.
She gets lots of abuse but she is a flop artist too.
lmao, it’s basketball. it can be a very physical game and if you can’t deal with it, oh well
Get real. Being physical is one thing, constantly attacking ONE player is another.
You are replying to an intentional troll that shows up on many sites where normal people comment.
Thanx.
He’s a freak. Don’t even respond. He knows nothing but spews nonsense on literally every topic. Bot. Troll. IDIOT.
Normal people? All I see are whining snowflakes, none of whom has actually watched a WNBA game in ages.
He’s someone to mute and block, that’s for sure.
Do you even watch basketball?
Do you understand the game or how it's played? She's the Fever's star, shes going to get a lot more physicality. They go wayyyyy harder on A'ja, but she's built a little tougher and can fend it off.
I'm not a fan but have watched several games to see what the buzz is about with Clarke. I've seen the same dirty play against her in every game I've watched. Checking, blocking and basic physical basketball is normal. Elbows to the face and throat when she doesn't even have possession is another and it's not even discreet.
Lmao.
Okay keep watching now that you've been watching. That's good. Usually it takes new fans about 3 or 4 seasons before they stop saying dumb stuff like that. I went through the same thing with college football
Ok, if it's just basketball, what would happen if she returned the violence in spades? Would the other players take it and respect her for giving back as good as she receives or would there be a gang fight brawl on the court? Would the WNBA treat her the same with fouling decisions?
Clark is iconic like a female Michael Jordan. That is wrong on three counts because she is white, straight, and talented. The part that is driving the hate is that she is different, even beautiful, and they are jealous. Much like the fight that Riley Gaines had to endure with trans swimmer Lia Thomas, formally William Thomas, and the fight against critical race theory that is behind the hate and intolerance. Now they claim that Clark’s clapping incites intolerance? A game loses its appeal when cheating is allowed and supported by officials who look the other way.
The issue with Gains is not the same as with Clark. Gains was deliberately subjected to obvious unfair and what should be illegal competition. Clark is being targeted by people who are appropriately her competition because she is white and strait and more talented than all the rest of them. Gains had a good basis, even a good legal basis, to complain that she was forced to compete against a man. Clark probably has a good complaint for race discrimination -- no joke, I litigated discrimination cases and this would be an easy win; Gains' legal case would likely be sex discrimination, but its much messier and more difficult to litigate.
With performance enhancing drugs, hormones, it is comparable. You are overlooking the mental aspect Clark is forced to deal with. She is smaller than many of the other players and a thug player could cause her grave physical harm. The mental harm of being forced in the locker room to dress with a male is also harmful. You are discounting wounds that are not treated by an emergency room physician.
What’s a “thug player” you right-wing sociopath?
lmao
holy cow what a worthless person you are
i’m glad you dont actually watch basketball because we do not want you here
Anyone that says "this would be an easy win" never "litigated discrimination cases."
I did that for 25 yrs., so, yes, I can say this would not be a difficult case.
Babe, Riley sucks no matter way you cut it. 5th place is still 5th place. 💀
Riley Gaines received a full scholarship to swim at the University of Kentucky, where she became a twelve-time NCAA All-American before focusing on her activism.
That's cool. NCAA all-american is not a particularly high honor though. That's like the top 20% of NCAA athletes. Some kids just don't compete well when they move up to college competition and she was not the best.
Also isn't it weird she spent all the time she did being upset about Lia Thomas but didn't report her coach who was sexually assaulting her teammates?
Is your specialty basketball or trolling?
Call it prejudice. Call it bias. Call it anything you want. It’s blatantly racist and so hard to stomach that I don’t watch WNBA games anymore. Too bad because I really enjoyed the play but I get nauseated at the blatant racism and lack of consequences in WNBA games for the players who make a repeated point of going after Clark. It’s isn’t once in a while, it’s almost every play in every game. Officials, players, coaches and the league all look the other way to protect their own interests. But fans have noticed and I know many people who no longer watch WNBA or buy its merchandise because they are revolted by what they see in WNBA games.
Riley Gaines - ridiculous - this is not that.
It's so funny seeing all you basketball noobies. It's like a rivals dot com message board in 05. Instigating and taunting can get you technicals, yes. That is the rule. Now what usually happens is refs call them when theyve seen players building aggression towards each other and the last act is the one they catch and say "okay time to cut it out" that can be unfair I'll agree
But taunting is a technical foul. Refs are human and call them like they see it which might look dumb in hindsight. Welcome to the game.
My husband was a ref for women’s basketball for 30 years and never called a foul for clapping.
The slang word ignoranus suits you to a tee.
What about her personality?
What are you talking about? Clark is being victimized and you think it is her personality that triggered it?
Many of attacks she’s had to endure would have led to suspensions even in the NHL.
These are NOT basketball plays.
Basketball is classified as limited or controlled contact sport.
Physical attacks, such as punching or chocking are not even allowed in football.
Attacks like that are legally classified as assault and battery.
And they display poor sportsmanship.
Lmaooooooooo
"Basketball is a limited contact sport"
Need any help pushing your glasses up there, nerd?
What do you think this is: The 80s?
I've worn the Nerd pin proudly since then.
I'm in good company: Steve Case, Jim Kimsey, Jerry Yang, and Steve Jobs were called nerds too.
Better than being called a braindead jock.
Bro blocking, charging sure but blows to the face - hood rat behavior.
Your comment doesn’t measure up to the facts. The woman has been targeted by both the league and the players. It’s a disgrace.
Last I checked, pressing down on someone’s throat while they were on the floor wasn’t part of the game.
I mean neither is holding in football, but it happens!
Caitlyn can go play somewhere else and the WNBA can go back to flying coach.
Are you serious? A punch in the neck while you’re down is not basketball
Lmao it wasn't a punch in the neck. Watch the clip, don't make assumptions from a single photo. She did have a clenched fist, she did try to keep Clark down. It was not a punch.
I’ve watched basketball for more than 40 years. If anyone committed a foul in the NBA that was anywhere close to what was done to Caitlyn Clark, that player would have been suspended. Even Bill Laimbeer wasn’t that dirty.
It is a physical game - but the physicality should be distributed evenly, and disciplined evenly, across players. The fact that it isn’t speaks volumes. That’s the point of the post.
It is pretty well distributed. But other players push back better. Players are physical with Clark because she's Indiana's star. Stars always get the brunt because shutting them down means shutting down the offense. What makes it worse for Clark is she isn't too great at being a physically imposing force back. I mean that's fine and all, her attitude is more "watch the scoreboard I'm going to beat you there." But take A'ja. She's a better player in part because she also knows how to be physically imposing and players know if they get physical with her A'ja can stand up for herself and run up the points. That has the effect of making them back off too.
I’ve watched basketball for more than 40 years. I remember the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons and how they mauled Michael Jordan. But they didn’t go after him when he didn’t have the ball … if anyone mauled someone in the NBA the way Clark has been mauled, they would be suspended.
What a dumb reply. Did you not read this? Off the ball fouls to the face is not basketball.
It absolutely is. Sometimes you get away with it sometimes you don't.
Watch more than clips.
Watch videos of Ron Artest doing less than what was done to Caitlyn Clark, and being suspended several games for it. I remember watching the game where he elbowed someone in the face when the other player didn’t have the ball.
So you're telling me there are different referees in a 2000s NBA game and a 2026 wnba game? Wow. Stop the presses
No. I’m telling you that the plays you’re referring to are not basketball plays. If those things happened to any other WNBA or NBA player, whoever did it would be suspended. The WNBA is allowing players to target Clark for some reason. And it’s stupid because she’s the reason people are paying attention.
And you have an answer for everything, don’t you? Maybe you could let someone else be right every now and then?
Yes blocking , a charge, body blocking , not throat punches. 3 years ago I was with you but it’s obvious. And where is her team ?
lmao there was no throat punch. watch the clip, don't look at a still. it was aggressive, it was a foul, her hand is clenched as she holds Clark down, it is not a throat punch.
if you'd ever played football, you'd know when there's a pile-up (scrum if you're a rugby guy) you get your digs in, you punch, you jab, you hurt, it's not pretty, but yeah you always try to get away with what you can get away with
Oh yeah - let me see you play basketball and get your eye poked out and then say “well this is basketball, if you can’t handle it then quit.”
Obviously you’ve completely missed the point or like the WNBA itself, have chosen to ignore it. Pay attention.
Y'all. His name is literally fake dude juicy arse. Sim Bro Fat Arzo. He's a troll. Ignore him.
Racism and heterophobia! They can’t stand that a NORMAL White girl can outplay most of them.
Another comment from someone who wants to talk about race but has never watched basketball.
Caitlin Clark is probably not even top 5 in the league. Reese, Wilson, Collier, Mabrey, Plum, Buckets - probably all better. Clark is definitely in the top 10 and is extremely dangerous in her assist game and she's really developed her 3's, but she snot outplaying the league right now. She's got a hell of a lot of drive though.
I’d sue the WNBA
I actually looked into this. The only way a lawsuit could happen is if a bettor claimed provable damages. Then he could institute a civil RICO suit. In discovery it might come out that players and officials colluded to injure Caitlin.
It's a wild thought but not impossible.
She absolutely needs to sue Alyssa Thomas, anyone else who has attacked her, and the referees.
No, it’s not racism.
Well, according to our Supreme Court, as long as there is a remotely plausible explanation for this behavior other than racism, then there is no legal grounds to do anything about it, right? Sorry, but you can’t keep playing the nonsensical reverse racism card anytime a person who is normally privileged faces the kind of adversity that others have lived with their entire lives.
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Damn fucking skippy this is! I’m a sports journalist and can tell you he left out every bit of the real racial aspects of this whole fucking dilemma and manipulation act! He also is clapping back at me for my piece on her that actual involves and goes over the aspects of revenue and league growth that had nothing to do with her and everything to do with a 75mil revenue sale that happen two year before she entered the wnba! This is a report routed in blatant manipulation to try and say she is being targeted cause she is white and straight and make up “26% of the leagues revenue” if morally preposterous! Below is a more detailed analysis of the situation
Follow the 🔗 below!
https://substack.com/@isaacjasper/note/p-145413607?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=2m7w45
Well said.
She should retire and be a Talking Head on men's basketball telecasts, or maybe a coach at U. Connecticut, and enjoy watching the WNBA revert to its previous poverty. Sweet revenge.
She is a basketball player and would like to remain a basketball player - not a vehicle to exercise grievance. Two things can be true at the same time - that the league has vacated it's duty of care to a star player, and that said star player sees her popularity as a chance to elevate her beloved sport, as she has said publicly many times. I believe that a principled approach should take into account a player's own desires.
I believe you and Erin are lacking a sense of Internet Humor.
The 89 people who Liked that Reply weren't thinking CC should really do that.
I will admit - somewhat bashfully, to be occasionally quite obtuse on picking up such things. My apologies.
Why is it that whenever Republicans want to get away with attacking Black women or lesbians they hide behind "it was a joke"?
I didn’t notice anyone “attacking Black women or lesbians.” When was that?
I’m sure she enjoys playing basketball, that is not a solution.
I imagine she might want to play in the Euro league for an Italian team if the WNBA maintains it's current level of cluelessness. She is, after all an international star, the fans are enthusiastic.
Are there women’s basketball leagues there? I’m not familiar.
There are many women’s pro clubs in Euro League, and it’s where many WNBA players earn paychecks during the winter. It’s also where teams look for talent; The Lynx had 2 Czech players trying to make the team, for example and Emma Cechova was doing well until she tore her ACL. FIBA Basketball is the organization that manages the men’s and women’s leagues.
Thanks. TIL European women’s basketball.
She’s an athlete. The LPGA would welcome her.
As others have said or intimated, the WNBA would rather be proudly and definitively “black” than financially successful. Upon Clark’s seemingly inevitable departure its descent into receivership will be swift and sure and virtually certain to be chalked up to
white racism.
I interpret your comment to mean that WHEN she retires, as age and possibly continued injury make inevitable, THEN she should retire to a well-paid and well-earned expert commentator or coaching position. The WNBA will almost certainly revert to its former low popularity and earnings, and Clark will have the last and best laugh.
So serious. It’s just Internet Snark.
Running away from the problem doesn’t solve the issue
On that last short video clip of "the fist to Clark's throat," there were three assaults and three batteries that should be considered to be criminal (intentional violent conduct not connected to the sport's activity): Clark is down on the floor. The woman who attacked her appears to have moved intentionally toward Clark. Her movement was not falling, but one of deliberate lowering into Clark. First contact: knee to Clark's groin. This is a painful strike that can debilitate a woman. Second contact: the fist that first contacted Clark's collarbone/chest area and then apparently intentionally slid into her throat and stayed there while the woman on top leaned into Clark. Third contact: the attempted stomp that Clark successfully defended against. That was not simply the woman standing up and possibly attempting to regain her balance. The action was clearly an attempt to stomp Clark as she laid helpless on the floor as evidenced by immediate transfer of weight to the heel/sole of the foot as it hit the floor.
The WNBA is a boring sporting event that cannot exist without the NBA's financial support. Then comes Clark and she increases revenue by an astounding 25%. Clark takes the WNBA to another level. I don't care if the WNBA survives. Given its disregard of Clark's safety, it appears the WNBA doesn't care either.
I think a decent DA could make a real case for that. I don't remember what sport it was, football or maybe hockey, somebody was charged with assault for beating the piss out of some other player. That could happen here, and or go after them in civil court, and she'd never have to work a day in her life again, and it would send a hell of a message to the twats in charge.
They do so love to stomp, don't they?
I saw the medical folks’ statements. Here’s her status: https://athlonsports.com/wnba/fever-share-encouraging-news-on-caitlin-clarks-injury-status-following-extensive-testing.
I’ve been involved in contact sports for 10 years as a youngster. In combative combative sports and arts for 50 years. I taught Combatives and tactics full time for 45 years. I testified nationwide in court in force incidents for 34. I respect medical experts when they stay in their lane. When they say, “X is the injury,” no argument. But the method of injury is tough for them because that’s not their training. For example, a police officer puts a female in a rear wrist lock. She spins while the holds her hand and elbow stationary, sustaining a spiral fracture of the humerus. MD testifies the cop was at fault and her spinning had nothing to do with it. In two cases like this different doctors didn’t know what every jujitsu player knows what happens to an arm when the hand rotates away from the back like that. I’ve been struck and struck in the throat many times. In a definitive strike, there’s a reaction. Doctors see injuries damaging vocal cords at perhaps one injury for perhaps a 1000 strikes that are uncomfortable but not medically threatening (I’m sure I’m going to hear from medical types about this, but mad respect for your education). Same with groin kicks to males. 1 in a 1000 go to the urologist with a testicular injury. Could a throat strike hurt her (pain)? Sure. Could it cause injury? Yes. Could it kill her? Not likely with paramedics on-scene and trauma care nearby.
Coming back to Clark. She evinced no reaction to the fist. Her body was curling up in pain, likely from the knee to the groin. When punched/struck well in the throat, there’s a facial cringe and generally an attempt to swallow. Hand(s) often reach to the neck to protect it. The individual repeatedly attempts to swallow and coughs. Clark didn’t do any of that. Instead, she defended herself from the stomp.
I think I’m done with this thread. I wish you and Clark well.
I'm wondering if Clark's vocal cords were damaged. They're very fragile.
Clark's comments after the game showed she had no physical damage to her vocal cords. While the fist that ended up more on her neck than her throat, it was not a "throat punch" (I'm not saying that the assailant didn't wish to land with her fist in Clark's throat, but the contact was first to the shoulder/clavicle and then slid into Clark's neck). Painful and intended to be so, but not debilitating to an athlete. To my mind, the knee landing on Clark's genitals caused a physical reaction that evinced severe pain. While not as debilitating as a knee strike to a male can be, women have always described it as very painful. That and the intended stomp Clark defended against, to my mind, were absolutely criminal and clearly intended to take Clark out of the game. This is not mind-reading. The likely results of these attacks, the pain of a knee strike as a very large woman landed on her, and especially the stomp by a very large, heavy woman to the body or head of a helpless woman on the floor could very well cause serious bodily injury. A one day suspension is insufficient as a deterrent to the repeated vicious attacks Clark has been subjected to.
The sport of basketball leaves players singularly vulnerable to unexpected injury by a malicious opponent, hence the protections of referees calling fouls. When any function of that protection by the league and/or officiating fails to protect a player, we see the sport devolve into violence. This is especially so when jealousy and envy combine with "othering" the targeted player (e.g., lesbian vs. straight). When othering is in play, any level of violence is seen to be justified. Clark is unsafe in the WNBA.
Thank you. I'm glad to hear this (in a way) - I wasn't aware that she'd spoken to the press.
Update: a later commenter says Clark didn’t speak to the press afterward and hasn’t spoken publicly yet. Can you check on this?
"Clark is unsafe in the WNBA."
Agreed, but there's zero chance she'll go to Europe or leave it, as I keep hearing so many people urge her to.
She's wanted to be in this league since she was a kid. It's like being in love with your abuser.
PS I was a very small kid when boxer Benny Paret was killed right on national TV. I remember because my dad was a big fight fan. I hope and pray nothing further happens to CC.
Nicholas DiNubile, MD, formerly the team doctor of the 76ers, confirmed that it could have been a disaster on X.
Since I can’t attach or link here it is in full:
“As a former NBA team physician (76ers) for many years, who has sat through many many games up close, I can say without hesitation that WNBA players and officials have somehow been signaled and cleared to neutralize or even harm (for reasons I cannot fully understand*) Caitlin Clark. …”
Someone (not me) responded: “As an orthopod, you agree that only a small additional force by AT would have put Clark in a wheelchair? I was an anesthesiologist, I see a nearly fractured CS and a transected spinal cord.”
DiNubile: “Indeed! It doesn't take much to crush the larynx. Could have been disastrous. Even life threatening. Inexcusable. Especially if as intentional as it appeared.”
Guys: “It doesn’t take much to crush the larynx.
This could have been a catastrophic injury.
*I think he does understand, he just can’t go that far.
Clark did not comment after that game. She was not in the presser afterwards and she has not given an interview since. You may be talking about her interview after the first game on Monday . She was not assaulted on Monday. AT and DB hurt her on Wednesday.
I was going by what the previous commenter said, assuming it was true. Perhaps you and he can hash this out.
I'm simply pointing out the fact, confirmed by two medical personnel on X: the larynx is quite delicate and vocal cords can easily be damaged.
Thanks!
Thanks. I thought the interview I saw, where she named the referee was following the game where she was so brutally assaulted, whether the presser or another interview. I still stand by my assessments of the criminal conduct of Clark's attacker.
We all agree with you about AT's behavior, that's not the issue - just whether or not CC has actually spoken and apparently she has not.
See my comment quoting the medical personnel who were thinking just what I was thinking: this was a potential catastrophe. No exaggerating.
The “sista’s” don't seem able to compete without going “Carnival Cruise, Waffle House, shopping mall food court” crazy and brawling.
The “league,” like most institutions, lowered its standards for what, social justice?
Of course this. You all are baked, breaded and fried in stereotypes and racism. It was in your mother’s milk
Yeah, don't believe your lying eyes.
My eyes tell me that you’re a racist egged on by a Fox News fascist who's hoping you go burn down a gay bar to avenge The Pure and Stainless White Woman.
Bullshit
Uh....the WNBA has had majority DEIs for a long time, dude.
No kidding.
racist much?
Played the race card. Good on you; expect a little extra on your EBT card. Now, go away.
Ya know acknowledging racism isn't what playing the race card means. The poorly educated never fail to open their mouths and prove it. 😂
LOL. You love making up your rules as you go along, don't you? C-ya.
All 100% true! As an Iowan I have watched as the WBNA and NBA (because they own a good chunk of the WNBA) have allowed Clark to be used and abused. This latest episode with a fist to the throat, with no adverse action so far, was the most obscene. Number 25 needs to be unemployed, immediately.
Thomas has always been a dirty player, and everyone knows it.
Ah, so that excuses it, case closed. Thanks.
It doesn't excuse anything at all. Personally, I think penalties should be much more harsh when players like Thomas display the same behavior repeatedly.
I think this failure to protect their golden goose comes from the fact that they are subsidized by the men's team. Due to this "socialist" arrangement they do not have to eat what they kill so they don't worry about the revenue. They will get theirs from the men anyway and not have to suffer the humiliation of being shown up by the straight white girl. Typical ghetto subsidized attitude with no recognition of financial realities.
NBA corruption is one of the worst in sports. Game integrity is a big problem. Stephanie White is also a problem.
Keep the nonsense about socialism out of it. You are ghetto yourself
At some point the NBA is going to decide there is no reason to continue the subsidy. The cultural reasons are fading and tax reasons will at some point as well.
If Clark is injured into a short career, possible as she missed most of last season to injuries, that might accelerate that end.
I think Clarke should retain council and seek to retain her full contract payment provisions, while being freed from her contract, to move on to another sport or activities as she so chooses. WNBA has proven they are NOT going to protect her from envious vengeance of other players and are not going to punish those actions. The WNBA and her team have broken their obligations to this player. How about the Fever coach have a "hit squad" of players it is willing to have suspended and fouled out of games to show the opposing teams what happens when you attack Clarke? Two can tango, unless one is a coward.
League cashes in on white star while allowing black athletes to publicly beat the piss out of her and putting its thumb on the scales to keep every call and plaudit from going her way… there is definitely an alternative explanation for this, and it’s ugly.
I'm a straight, white woman from Iowa and the treatment of this super-star athlete is unconscionable.
If she was Black she wouldn’t be treated that way.
If it were truly about her whiteness or heterosexuality, she wouldn't be the only one taking such shots from other players. Ionescu, Citron, Plum, etc. don't seem to get the same dirty shots that Clark gets.
None of them are the threat that she is.
The stats say otherwise. They're team leaders in their own right, and formidable guards in the league.
Agree when watching the wnba im struck by how diverse it is.
Yes, and more players being recruited from foreign countries every season.
Or lesbian.
Thanks for bringing this situation to light! Personally I was appalled at her treatment by the WBNA! It was obvious she seemed targeted by refs and players! In short I looked at this as professional jealousy and yes, Racism!
Someday, when CC walks away from the WNBA, the league will go back to being irrelevant with the majority of sports fans.
I am basically not a sports fan. But even Ms. Clark came into my consciousness several years ago. She suffers to play better than most and I greatly appreciate this column making the points about her. I never paid attention to WNBA before her. Like roller derby, who cared really about the WNBA except a fringe interest group! This enmity towards her seems a combination of both talent envy and, as others have said in the comments, racism.
She should go to Europe. This league doesn’t deserve her. It’s obvious racism.
These bitter players are risking their paychecks and the League itself. One elbow too many and Clarke walks away from the game she loves and thought was a meritocracy, probably followed by a well-deserved lawsuit against the league. Support will collapse along with WNBA compensation, and the League will fold. Frankly, they deserve it. What are these people thinking?
They’re not thinking but society has propped up their sport so they have no real feedback
I feel that there is enough footage of harassment and sheer hate that she can file a lawsuit against the WNBA and the women who incited the violence against her! She is a very talented player and she has endured a lot.
Sadly, he didn’t mention the recent Griner episode. Still can’t criticize the trans.