The Caitlin Clark effect in the WNBA has been massive, bringing in record-breaking viewership, packed arenas, and an entirely new wave of fans.
But with that rise has come controversy, especially regarding officiating and the treatment Clark receives on the court. Now, former WNBA champion Natasha Cloud has weighed in on the debate, and she’s not holding back.
Natasha Cloud Calls Out Caitlin Clark Controversy With Unfiltered Take
During a recent appearance on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Cloud addressed the outrage surrounding physical plays against Clark last season. From the infamous hip-check by Chennedy Carter to Angel Reese’s head swipe and multiple hard fouls from Sky players, fans have consistently called for stricter officiating to “protect” Clark. But according to Cloud, the reaction from fans isn’t about the game. It’s about something deeper.
“Go down the list of best {WNBA} players… they get f*cked up every game” @T_Cloud4 feels that the new @wnba fandom isn’t simply rooted in the love of the game. She calls the vets vs rookies narrative “Bull shit”, & points to racism when it pertains to the stories surrounding… pic.twitter.com/jbNKIrRBLT
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25)
“It’s just a part of the game,” Cloud said. “There was no targeting, there was no nothing. That narrative that got spun into, Oh, the vets hate the rookies. The rookies hate the vets. The vets are going after certain players. What it is is racism.”
Cloud wasn’t just talking about the calls Clark receives; she took issue with the entire wave of new fans entering the WNBA.
“The craziness that came with the new fandom was rooted in something other than fandom, and I think that was very evident to see across the board,” Cloud explained. “In a lot of ways, it has not been about basketball.”
She’s far from the only one making these claims. Angel Reese previously stated on her podcast that “there’s a lot of racism when it comes to it” regarding Clark’s fans. WNBA icon Sue Bird also took aim at the new audience last year, suggesting that a segment of them weren’t truly fans but were instead “pushing racist agendas and pushing hate.”
The Growing Divide Between WNBA Players and New Fans
Despite Cloud’s strong words, not everyone in women’s basketball sees it the same way. USC star JuJu Watkins—who could potentially challenge Clark’s NCAA scoring record in the future—has welcomed the new fans.
Watkins admitted. “Not a lot of people know what they’re talking about sometimes. But it’s great for the sport. The fact that people are watching is enough in itself.”
There’s no question that Clark has elevated the WNBA’s visibility, and with that spotlight comes criticism from all sides. Everyone can have their opinions. Some, like Cloud and Reese, see favoritism and racial bias in how the narrative is shaped. Others, like Watkins, focus on the positives of the league’s growth, even if it comes with complications.
One thing is for sure: the conversation isn’t going away anytime soon. As Clark gears up for the WNBA season, more eyes than ever watch her every move.
