American broadcaster Cari Champion is attracting criticism following her comments on WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The former ESPN reporter claimed that the Indiana Fever star received special treatment and called her out for her on-court demeanor.
WNBA World Reacts to Cari Champion’s Criticism of Caitlin Clark
Champion voiced her opinion on Clark as the face of the WNBA and claimed that she received “blatant favoritism” from the league and its officials. She also claimed that Clark and her fans had an “entitlement” with the way she behaved on the court.
“That type of blatant favoritism annoys the hell out of me,” Champion said on the “Flagrant & Funny” podcast.
“I don’t know if this is her fault, because I think it might be unfair for me to say that this is her fault. But at the same time, it’s like, why is she getting this special treatment? And it just is, yet again, another example of the league and its fans… being so precious with her… The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I’m like, ‘I don’t like you. I don’t like the way you behave on the court,’” she added.
Many WNBA fans did not take too kindly to Champion’s comments on Clark. One user claimed that Champion was deliberately seeking relevance by making provocative comments about Clark.
“Who the F is she? Trying to clout chase off CC. Ignore this troll,” they wrote on X.
Who the F is she? Trying to clout chase off CC. Ignore this troll.
— CCFC-New season (@sohali2012) May 28, 2026
Another fan hit out at Champion over her comments about Clark.
“She’s sounding this unhinged about someone who doesn’t even know her personally. like girl get some therapy! immediately,” they wrote.
she’s sounding this unhinged about someone who doesn’t even know her personally. like girl get some therapy! immediately!!😭😭😭 https://t.co/f2Vb3OtfJs
— drafts (@drafts95452567) May 28, 2026
A third fan criticized Champion for claiming that the WNBA officials make decisions that favor Clark.
“The fact that there is a player who directly spoke out about officiating and people still blame 22. Unserious people,” one fan wrote.
The fact that there is a player who directly spoke out about officiating and people still blame 22.
Unserious people. https://t.co/zQRP9MFYNt
— Dallas (@DallasJonesy) May 28, 2026
An Indiana Fever fan claimed Champion’s comments were an attempt to capitalize on Clark’s popularity as the biggest name in the WNBA.
“She’s irrelevant so she’s critiquing CC to grasp any popularity she can get,” a fan commented on X.
She’s irrelevant so she’s critiquing CC to grasp any popularity she can get.
— Kaitlyn (ZuluEditsAe) (@zulueditsae) May 28, 2026
On the court, Clark is enjoying a strong start to the WNBA season. She is averaging 23.8 points, 9.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game through 5 games for the Indiana Fever this season. The Fever has started the season with a 4-2 record.
