Former NFL player-turned-analyst and podcast host Ryan Clark has been a vocal critic of WNBA leadership, especially regarding how league commissioner Cathy Engelbert has handled racism, locker-room and online hate among players, and other related issues.
Clark escalated his tirade against WNBA leadership on his recent podcast, urging Engelbert to view the issues from a professional standpoint. But when he brought up Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, his comment that she “needs to get better” drew attention for feeling out of place in an otherwise serious critique.
This prompted a Fever analyst to react publicly, calling out the moment as if there were something amiss in his viewpoint.
Fever Analyst Laughs at Ryan Clark’s Comment About Caitlin Clark
Ryan Clark made the statement in the latest edition of the “Pivot Podcast,” alongside fellow NFL veterans Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor. The former Pro Bowl safety discussed the league’s current issues and demanded that Engelbert step up and address them.
Clark mentioned that it all started during the commissioner’s talks with the WNBA players’ union, which ruffled feathers among the players. He then pointed out that there are some positive things the league should discuss, aside from the negative issues surrounding the WNBA in recent months.
This included the rise of the Minnesota Lynx, the surge of the young Golden State Valkyries, and the continued excellence of Las Vegas Aces players A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray. He also highlighted Indiana’s duo of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, who continue to produce strong numbers for their team.
But when Clark addressed the Iowa legend and said she “needs to get better” at basketball, it stood out against the otherwise praise-filled section of his rant.
That caused Fever analyst Robin Lundberg to laugh at the comment, feeling that there’s something amiss with Clark’s rant and that there was nothing more to elaborate on.
“The fact that Caitlin Clark needs to get better at basketball made it into this take is truly hilarious,” Lundberg wrote. “No notes.”
The fact that Caitlin Clark needs to get better at basketball made it into this take is truly hilarious. No notes. https://t.co/V0LcBh4TwA
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) August 12, 2026
That was the only laughable gaffe in his serious rant about the league, as most of his points were constructive as he called on the WNBA to improve its leadership amid ongoing issues it faces in its 30th year of existence.
The sports personality urged the community, especially former athletes, to avoid making jokes about women’s basketball and to show respect for the women who work to improve the quality of play in the sport.
He concluded by saying that dudes who keep making fun of something so serious could be categorized as “absolute clowns” and should not be listened to.
