Sheryl Swoopes Under Fire for Giving Caitlin Clark Silent Treatment

Three-time WNBA MVP and Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes is once again under fire for what some perceive as a deliberate insult to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. The controversy erupted during a recent WNBA broadcast, where Swoopes remained silent as Clark’s impressive performance was highlighted.

The incident occurred during a game between the Dallas Wings and the Las Vegas Aces, broadcast on NBA TV by Ben Axelrod of Awful Announcing. As commentator Ron Thulin announced the WNBA players of the week, including Caitlin Clark, who averaged 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds, Swoopes, who was acting as an analyst, offered no commentary. His silence was notable, especially since an analyst’s role is typically to provide information and commentary during such segments.

This isn’t the first time Swoopes has been accused of criticizing Clark. In recent months, Swoopes has made headlines for her comments about the former Iowa star, which have sparked debates and even confrontations with other media figures. One notable clash came with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who called Swoopes “crazy” for what he perceived as her refusal to acknowledge Clark’s contributions to the Fever’s recent success. Swoopes, in turn, responded by calling Smith a “coward” and defended her right to speak out on her podcast.

The silence that reigned during the broadcast only fueled speculation that Swoopes might have an issue with Clark. While some have argued that Swoopes’ silence could be due to other reasons, such as taking a moment to take a break or not being prepared for this particular segment, the timing and context have led to intense public scrutiny. The perception that Swoopes intentionally avoided talking about Clark has led to discussions about whether there is underlying tension between the WNBA legend and the young star.

The Fever and the Wings face off on September 1st.