Stephen A. Smith, the well-known ESPN media personality, has been a vocal supporter of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark during her debut season in professional basketball.
Throughout this season, Smith has consistently defended Clark on his show, even if it means criticizing the WNBA or its players to make his points.
Recently, a significant development in the women’s basketball world has been the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) choosing to opt out of their current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), leading to its expiration after the 2025 season.
While Smith supports the WNBPA’s decision, he believes they could have achieved more by embracing Clark instead of being reluctant to do so.
In a segment on his show, Smith remarked, “The players are absolutely right. Players pointing to higher television ratings, attendance figures, and franchise values as reasons for opting out? I’ve been saying that Caitlin Clark is a rising tide that lifts all boats.”
He continued, “While the WNBA maximized her presence, players could have done more to support it. For years, many people didn’t pay attention until Caitlin Clark emerged.”
Smith highlighted how both Clark and Angel Reese elevated television ratings, attendance, and franchise value, questioning why players resisted recognizing their impact until now.
He concluded by suggesting that players should have fully supported Clark to attract more attention and reap greater benefits.
Stephen A. Smith talking about the WNBA players opt out of CBA and the fact that caitlin clark’s impact wasn’t taken advantage from the beginning. #WNBA #feverrising
He makes a valid point.
