The Indiana Fever claimed a 112-98 win over the Portland Fire on Friday, but the focus quickly diverted to the franchise’s decision not to make Caitlin Clark available for media duties.
The Fever‘s decision came in the wake of Sophie Cunningham voicing her opposition to including trans athletes in women’s sports, drawing criticism from across the WNBA.
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WNBA World Reacts As Caitlin Clark Shirks Media Duties Amid Sophie Cunningham Trans-Athlete Controversy
Cunningham sparked a national debate after making her views about transgender women participating in women’s sports public. Fever head coach Stephanie White also weighed in on the topic on Friday, saying that “exclusion” is never the answer.
However, the Fever opted not to make Clark available for post-game media duties on Friday. The 24-year-old, who recorded a triple-double against the Fire, received criticism for not speaking to the media.
Jackson Thompson of Fox noted how it was the second time in as many games that Clark has not talked to the media.
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“Caitlin Clark was not made available to media after her triple double, as White’s comments went viral during the game. It’s the second time in as many games Clark has not talked to the media when a “Save Women’s Sports” rally is held outside the arena,” he wrote on X.
Journalist Jemele Hill defended Clark but also hit out at the Fever for shielding their superstar guard from media duties.
“Caitlin Clark should not have to answer to something her teammate said. That said, if she is asked the question – a fair one – and opts to say no comment, or I don’t have enough information, or a non-answer, that’s fine, too. Or if she just says what she feels. These teams do their players a disservice by doing things like this because it creates a bigger story. If y’all don’t have her prepped for these moments, what are you even doing?” She wrote.
Journalist Mark Zinno hit out at the way the WNBA is being run amid the latest controversy surrounding the league.
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“The WNBA is their own worst enemy. Actually, they are a joke. The way they handle things is an actual, laughable joke,” he wrote.
However, some fans also defended Clark and hit out at the media for turning Cunningham’s comments into a national debate.
“The way the w media treats Caitlin. I would never speak to them again. Ever. Pay all the fines and say [expletive] them,” one wrote.
“All media loves to create stories for their own benefit. They create drama to get you all riled up, raging at one another over exaggerated culture war issues. Don’t fall into this [expletive],” claimed another.
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Despite the outside noise, Clark is continuing to dominate proceedings in the WNBA this season. The 6-foot-0 guard is averaging 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game this year. She is the third-highest scorer and second on the assists leaders’ chart in the WNBA.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
