Randy Smith
Let's face it. Since Caitlin Clark came on the scene a few years ago, the popularity of women's basketball has skyrocketed. Recent numbers confirm that fact. It's estimated that popularity has increased by 183%. TV ratings are mulch higher, merchandise sales are out the roof, not to mention attendance at games is setting records as well. A lot of this popularity is tied to the animosity toward Clark, whether it's the "in your face" arguments or the physical, flagrant fouls against her, it's fueling the popularity.
There are videos on YouTube that are drawing millions of views of Caitlin being knocked to the floor, cursed at, or having her eyes poked and it's not just Angel Reese.
It's a whole host of other players on several teams. It's now taken on a racial tone and that's never a good thing.
Caitlin and Angel have been rivals since they were teenagers. They faced each other in AAU ball many times and they even faced each other several times in college....when Angel was at Maryland, then LSU while Caitlin was at Iowa. Angel won a majority of those meetings, though Caitlin has caught up a bit since joining the Indiana Fever. Two years ago, before they were drafted, I wrote an article about their rivalry, going back to the meeting in 2022 when LSU defeated Iowa in the NCAA Final Four. That rivalry basically consisted of waving hands in the face of the other, rather than physical violence which we see now in the WNBA.
I personally believe it goes beyond race. It's jealously that drives the contempt against Caitlin Clark. It's no longer just Angel Reese taking shots at her, it's black and white players knocking her to the floor and committing flagrant fouls. Just watch some of the many videos and you'll see what I'm talking about. It's also gotten to the point that Caitlin's teammate Sophie Cunningham has taken on the role of defender for Caitlin against everyone else. Cunningham was recently ejected from a game with the Connecticut Suns as she took offense to Caitlin being poked in the eye, then later knocked to the floor by the Suns' Jacy Sheldon. As Sheldon was driving for a layup, Cunningham grabbed her and took her to the floor, resulting in both players being ejected.
It kinda reminds me of the WWE when there would be big rivalries between wrestlers...rivalries that were drummed up to boost ratings and popularity. I enjoy watching both players play. Both Caitlin and Reese are amazing athletes and it's a shame they are pitted against each other just to add to the popularity of the sport. But you know what....it's working!
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Randy Smith can be reached at rsmithsports@epbfi.com