“Tired of These Old Heads”: Caitlin Clark Loyalists Flood Sheila Johnson With Hostility After Mystics Co-Owner’s Statement

Caitlin Clark has been a central figure in boosting the WNBA’s popularity, with figures like Stephen A. Smith dubbing her the “Golden Goose.” However, not everyone agrees with attributing all the credit to Clark. The latest dismissal of her influence came from a Washington Mystics owner, sparking backlash from fans who are now fiercely defending the star.

In an interview with CNN on Friday, Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson expressed her disagreement with Caitlin Clark being named Time’s 2024 Athlete of the Year. The magazine, which honored Clark with the prestigious title — first in the WNBA — previously adorned by the ranks of NBA legend LeBron James, and Simone Biles, faced a critical remark from Johnson.

She argued that singling out Clark for the award was not the right approach, suggesting that the recognition should be more inclusive. “This year, something clicked with the WNBA and it’s because of the draft of players that came in. It’s not just Caitlin Clark, it’s (Angel) Reese (as well). We have so much talent out there,” Johnson told CNN.

She believes singling out the 2024 ROTY could stem a disstaste among her counterparts.

While her remarks may hold weight, there’s no denying the record-breaking viewership the league enjoyed, especially during Clark’s games, including a historic ESPN broadcast. Fans were thus quick express their frustration with Johnson’s dismissal of Clark’s impact, voicing their dissent across social media platforms.

Fans react strongly to Sheila Johnson’s dismissal of Caitlin Clark’s influence

Caitlin Clark made history as the first female athlete named Time Athlete of the Year and has consistently ranked among the top marketable athletes. Her impact on the WNBA is evident in the stats that show Indiana Fever games alone, accounting for 45% of the league’s total broadcasting value and Clark contributing 26% to the league’s economic activities. Fans who note the significance of it are unhappy with Johnson’s remark.

For the first time, a female basketball player has been named Athlete of the Year—and rightfully so—bringing well-deserved attention to your league. And yet, you’re still unsatisfied? Unbelievable.”

The Mystics currently without a coach after firing Eric Thibault, placing the franchise in a precarious position, made a counter argument for one.“Does this lady’s team even have a coach ? So tired of these old heads.”

Johnson’s remarks suggested that all rookies deserve recognition, not just Caitlin Clark, stating, “When you just keep singling out one player, it creates hard feelings.” However, fans were not receptive to her view, arguing that it seemed like she was advocating for participation trophies instead of acknowledging the players who are performing at the highest level.

They found her take horrible and wrote: “Sheila needs to write a book: “How To Tank Your Franchise’s Reputation in Just 4 Minutes!” What a horrible take. Do they want participation trophies for everyone? Grow up. Winning isn’t for everyone.” Another user echoed similar sentiments and dropped a comment: “Sheila believes in the value of participation trophies.”

Caitlin Clark’s final regular-season game against the Washington Mystics drew record-breaking attendance at their home arena. With 20,711 fans, it was the most attendance the league had ever witnessed. The Mystics even had to move the game to Capitol One Arena to accommodate the large crowd. One fan pointed out that if Clark truly had no impact, the Mystics wouldn’t have gone through the effort of relocating the game to such a larger venue. “then dont move your games against the fever to capital one arena”

Clark’s influence on the WNBA is undeniable, with record-breaking viewership and historic achievements. So despite criticism, fans continue to celebrate Clark’s impact on the league’s growth and recognition.