Caitlin Clark’s rookie year with the Indiana Fever turned the WNBA into a full-on phenomenon-record viewership, packed arenas, and a Rookie of the Year nod to boot. But ESPN analyst Monica McNutt’s got folks buzzing with a bold take: Clark’s race might be a big piece of her sky-high popularity.
During a chat with BBC’s Katty Kay, McNutt didn’t shy away from the convo. “I think Caitlin represented-and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her, because it was not anything that she said or was truly based on her personality-but she was a white girl from the middle of America,” she said. “And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she ascribed to or not.” It’s a statement that’s got social media lighting up and fans picking sides.
WNBA. Caitlin Clark benched while Paige Buckers starts for Team USA proves their WNBA rivalry will be electric
WNBA. Is Caitlin Clark getting robbed? Analyst calls out WNBA list
Caitlin Clark’s rookie year with the Indiana Fever turned the WNBA into a full-on phenomenon-record viewership, packed arenas, and a Rookie of the Year nod to boot. But ESPN analyst Monica McNutt’s got folks buzzing with a bold take: Clark’s race might be a big piece of her sky-high popularity.
During a chat with BBC’s Katty Kay, McNutt didn’t shy away from the convo. “I think Caitlin represented-and again, some of this to me probably is not fair to her, because it was not anything that she said or was truly based on her personality-but she was a white girl from the middle of America,” she said. “And so she represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she ascribed to or not.” It’s a statement that’s got social media lighting up and fans picking sides.
No one’s denying Clark’s game-19.2 points, a league-leading 8.4 assists, and two triple-doubles in 2024 scream talent. She’s got the Fever’s 41 of 44 games slated for national TV in 2025, a stat that’s got jaws dropping. But McNutt’s pointing at something else too-how Clark’s Iowa roots and relatable vibe might’ve hooked a huge chunk of fans, especially little girls who mobbed arenas to see her play.
“The one thing that I cannot deny is the amount of little girls that were showing up to follow her,” she added, tying it to Clark’s Midwestern appeal. It’s a layered take and it’s stirring the pot big time.
Does being white in America matter?
Fans are in a battlefield over this: “She’s popular ’cause she’s unreal, not white!” one fan fired off, while another countered, “Monica’s just saying what’s real-race plays a part.” Clark’s not new to this chatter: her 2024 white privilege comments at Iowa nodded to the same vibe McNutt’s hitting.
Still, her All-WNBA First Team spot and fourth-place MVP finish say plenty-she’s no fluke. McNutt gave props too, calling her a “dynamic basketball player,” but it’s that race angle that’s got tongues wagging.
The WNBA’s never been hotter: attendance jumped 48% in 2024, and Clark’s Fever games averaged 1.19 million viewers on ESPN. Is it all her? McNutt’s not saying that-she flagged Angel Reese’s pull too-but Clark’s “middle of America” tag’s got folks wondering how much optics boost her shine.
Leave a Reply