Report: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark Snub After Final Team USA Roster Unveiled…

June 9, 2024 Sports_xtreme Indiana Fever 0

Final Team USA Roster Reveals Bias Against Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark is arguably the most prominent name in sports right now. In my 35 years, I can’t recall another female athlete dominating the sports world like she has.

While female athletes have had their moments, mostly in Olympic sports like gymnastics and figure skating, women’s basketball had stars like Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes, and Lisa Leslie, who elevated the game. However, Clark’s star power is unprecedented in women’s sports.

Locally, Lindsay Whalen brought attention to women’s basketball, especially during her University of Minnesota days, but no one has lifted the entire sport—and arguably the entire gender—like Clark.

Her influence is inspiring countless girls worldwide to take up basketball, falling in love with the game because they first admired her. Caitlin Clark is essentially the Taylor Swift of women’s basketball.

For instance, the 0-12 Washington Mystics moved their game against Clark’s Indiana Fever from a 4,000-seat arena to a 20,000-seat venue due to ticket demand, and those additional 16,000 seats sold out in 30 minutes.

Clark rewarded the crowd by scoring 30 points, with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals, leading the Fever to an 85-83 win. The game set a 17-year WNBA attendance record, benefiting the Mystics, Capital One Arena, and the WNBA financially.

Despite her achievements and popularity, Cheryl Reeve left Caitlin Clark off the 2024 Team USA women’s basketball Olympic roster, which was made official on Saturday. This decision comes from the same leaders who have demanded more attention and investment in women’s basketball, yet they chose to sideline their first true superstar.

Dave Portnoy from Barstool summed it up, highlighting the hypocrisy. He pointed out that Clark is arguably the most talked-about basketball player globally, capable of drawing massive crowds and revenue. Leaving her off the Olympic team is not just a missed showcase opportunity for her but for the sport and other WNBA players as well. It’s a baffling decision from a business standpoint, considering her potential to make women’s basketball a major viewing event.

Clark has faced targeting by current players, former players, and opposing coaches, who view her as a threat rather than an asset. Cheryl Reeve, the Minnesota Lynx president of basketball operations and Team USA head coach, seems to lead this anti-Clark sentiment, despite her calls for more attention to women’s basketball.

This hypocrisy is glaring. Reeve, known for advocating for women’s basketball, now seems to prioritize personal vendettas over the growth of the game. The Olympic committee, composed of individuals who have competed against Clark, also shares the blame.

Notably absent are staff from Iowa or the Fever, while figures like South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, whose team beat Iowa in the National Championship, and others who have reason to be biased, are included.

Some may argue that Clark isn’t good enough or wouldn’t get enough playing time, but these excuses don’t hold water. Team USA’s women’s basketball team is historically dominant, with an impressive track record of victories.

Keeping Caitlin Clark off the roster won’t affect their chances of winning but does highlight the jealousy and bias within the leadership, particularly Cheryl Reeve’s.

This decision underscores how personal biases are hindering the potential growth and business of women’s basketball in 2024.

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