When it comes to Caitlin Clark’s popularity, her playing skills aren’t the only factor. So says a two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player.
With the collegiate phenom’s professional debut coming on Tuesday night, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson told the Associated Press that the fact that Caitlin Clark is white is “huge” when it comes to how fans are lining up to watch her play. Wilson said:
“I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about Black and White, but to me, it is. It really is because you can be top-notch at what you are as a Black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see. They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. It doesn’t matter what we all do as Black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.”
Wilson Points Out Caitlin Clark’s Race as Key Factor
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Wilson made the remarks before it was announced on Monday that she was getting a signature shoe from Nike. The two-time WNBA MVP’s shoe deal came after Caitlin Clark received a large endorsement deal from Nike before her first professional game.
Caitlin Clark became the No. 1 pick in April’s WNBA Draft after a celebrated college career in which she finished as the NCAA Division-I all-time leading scorer (men or women) with 3,951 points. She also won the AP Player of the Year Award in 2022 and 2023. The Iowa Hawkeyes superstar was also able to take advantage of “Name and Likeness” (NIL) marketing partnerships, something that was not available to Wilson when she played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the mid-2010s.
However, Caitlin Clark’s NIL sponsorships ranked behind her college rival Angel Reese of the LSU Tigers, who is the same race as Wilson.
Wilson not the First WNBA Figure to Throw Shade at Caitlin Clark
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While Caitlin Clark’s presence will almost certainly help WNBA teams break attendance records in 2024, Wilson is not the first league figure to throw some shade at the incoming rookie.
Earlier this month, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve voiced her concerns at the league placing such a hyper focus on Caitlin Clark. Reeve appeared to take exception at the WNBA making Caitlin Clark’s first preseason game against the Dallas Wings free to view via the league’s online app. Reeve’s team was also playing at the same time against the Chicago Sky in a game not able to be viewed anywhere outside of the arena. Reeve tweeted:
“ALSO in action tonight – @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky. 7pm CST. Though fans won’t be able to watch, #Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play. Or if you are in market, come to the game…as we start the season off right #12teams #theWismorethanoneplayer.”
Outwardly, Caitlin Clark has handled the positives and negatives of her superstar brand in stride. She told ESPN’s Pat McAfee earlier in May:
“It’s been a whirlwind. … I feel like I’ve tried to do my best.”
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Tom Carothers is a sportswriter with more than 20 years of experience covering sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Still longing for the return of his Minnesota North Stars, he has a high pain tolerance as a big fan of the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tom is the WNBA Content Manager for Total Apex Sports. He is also well versed in covering MLB, NFL, NHL, as well as MLS and EPL.
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