Mike Francesa has sharply criticized the WNBA as political controversy continues following Sophie Cunningham‘s comments. This month, it has dominated conversations around the league. On his podcast, the longtime sports host blamed league leadership and players for allowing outside issues to overshadow basketball.
“They have turned their league into a bubbling, volcanic, political, chaotic situation where every nut is now getting involved politically in the WNBA on all different levels,” Francesa said. “It’s the worst thing that could have ever happened.”
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Francesa also argued that the league failed to understand Caitlin Clark‘s impact. He said officials and players should have recognized how much attention Clark could bring to the WNBA. He claimed the league instead allowed tensions around her treatment to become another major source of debate.
“I blame the people who run the league,” Francesa said. “I blame the players who didn’t have the long-range vision and didn’t have the smarts to realize what Caitlin Clark was going to do for their league, and instead, tried to hurt her and run her out of the league at every point.”
Mike Francesa on Caitlin Clark’s arrival in WNBA
WNBA: Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky
Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) signs autographs for fans prior to a game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
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Francesa compared Clark’s arrival with Pete Maravich entering the NBA. He noted that Maravich also faced jealousy and resentment from teammates and opponents because of his profile.
“There were revolts against Pete Maravich when he came to the NBA,” Francesa recalled. He argued that professional athletes should not be expected to welcome a major competitor simply because she can increase league popularity.
Still, Francesa believes the WNBA has allowed the recent debate to grow beyond basketball. “And now it’s become a political mess way past just the issues with Caitlin Clark,” he said. “The league’s a disaster right now.”
The political debate has also brought prominent figures into the discussion. President Donald Trump in early August joked about coaching a women’s team and recruiting LeBron James. “I’d be the greatest women’s basketball coach in history,” Trump said before joking that he would ask James if he had “any desire to be a woman.”
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Sen. Ted Cruz has also jumped into the debate, backing Indiana Fever guard Cunningham. “Fantastic. Thank you for so ferociously defending women & girls. Sophie is a true American hero,” Cruz wrote on X.
With politics continuing to surround the league, Francesa believes the WNBA risks losing focus on the basketball product that helped drive its recent growth.
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