Four-time WNBA champion Cheryl Swoopes has been one of Caitlin Clark's most vocal critics.
But Swoopes was left speechless during a recent appearance on the podcast after being asked about Indiana Fever star Remarks about her privilege as a white athlete in an interview with Time magazine after being named Female Athlete of the Year.
Swoopes, who was the first player ever to sign to the WNBA, admitted on Wednesday's “Gil's Arena” radio broadcast that Clark receives the honor It was “fantastic” for the league, but she questioned the standards of what was selected in Time magazine.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever celebrates during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 24, 2024, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
“I don't think I'm surprised. I'm just curious to see who the other nominees are. But the fact that this is the first ever WNBA player Winning the title of Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year is very special.
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“My question is – like the criteria – is it based on her performance on the field, which, yeah, she's had a great year. Or is it more about the impact she's had on the game this season.
“I think it's great, not just for her. I think it's great for the league, right? And everyone also talked about the recognition she brought to the W's this season and, by extension, for her to be Time Magazine's Female Athlete of the Year.” “I think it's really great for the league.”
Texas Tech alumna Cheryl Swoopes attends Alumni Weekend for Texas Tech's game against Baylor on Jan. 28, 2023, at United Supermarkets Arena. (to imagine)
But Swoopes didn't have much to say when asked what she thought of Clarke's admission to the magazine that she took advantage of her privilege.
“I want to say I earned it all, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark said in the interview.
“A lot of these players that were really good in the league were black players. This league was kind of built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight it, talk about it, and then continue to get brands and companies investing in These are the players that make this league great, and I think it's very important that I continue to try to change that whenever we can elevate black women, that would be a beautiful thing.
Kaitlyn Clark (22) of the Indiana Fever drives to the basket against the Connecticut Sun during Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs on Sept. 25, 2024, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
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When asked during Wednesday's podcast about those remarks, Swoopes said nothing.
She appeared to raise her eyebrows and nod her head before changing the subject.
Swoopes has faced criticism in the past for her flamboyant interactions with Clark. In September, Swoopes said she didn't think Clark was “dominating” the league. Clark was later named WNBA Rookie of the Year.
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