The WNBA was on the minds of many sports programs Monday morning after a wild weekend for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, and things got pretty testy on ESPN's “First Take” because of it.
Stephen A. Smith and Monica McNutt got into a heated argument during the debate show when the topic of Clark's incident with Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter came up at the top of the show. There have been many narratives about the flagrant foul Carter called on Clark, and McNutt argued that new WNBA fans may think the league is out to get Clark.
“You guys may not have said 'everyone,' but the prevailing sentiment toward people who are just joining the WNBA and following women's sports is unfair to the women of this league – to your point – who have laid the foundation for Caitlin Clark to come in and now take it to the next level,” McNutt said on the show.
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Stephen A. Smith before the season tournament championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 9, 2023. (Kyle Terada-USA Today Sports)
She added: “The game is physical, Caitlin is helping to grow the league, these women understand that.” But she can't be spoiled as a rookie.”
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Smith, however, took it personally when McNutt brought up media coverage of the WNBA.
“Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women's sports more than the number one 'First Take'?” Smith, a mainstay on the program with Shannon Sharpe, asked McNutt.
“Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to,” McNutt responded.
ESPN'S STEHEN TO SMITH SAYS SOME WNBA PLAYERS ARE JEALOUS OF CAITLIN CLARK, SUGGESTS CAREER COMPONENT
“Wow,” Smith said after an awkward silence, but he didn't stop. “Who does more than us?”
“I'm talking to you! I'm talking to you. Don't do that. I'm talking to you about the power that you have. I'm talking to you,” McNutt said.
“First Take” host Molly Qerim ended up interrupting the discussion after 40 minutes of direct conversation on the show for a commercial break.
The discussion began when Smith compared criticism of women in the WNBA to men's sports.
“We're talking about maximizing their great potential,” Smith said. “And because we bring that up and talk about what could potentially get in his way, which we do with men all the time, now we have to sit here and watch every syllable. That bothers me and I'll leave it at that.” .
Monica McNutt before the playoff game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers on April 26, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
“Welcome to the world of being a woman, Stephen A. How you have to dance around your choice of words and you have to please everyone and everyone as you navigate your being,” McNutt responded.
“What's it like to be a black man?” Smith said.
Smith also said on the show that she believes some WNBA players are jealous of Clark's attention and stardom since she entered the league, and race may play into that.
“There are girls – young – in the WNBA who are jealous of Caitlin Clark. She is a white girl who has come into the league,” Smith explained. “She's burst onto the scene. She hasn't proven herself yet. It's not even about them thinking they're better than her because they probably know that at this particular moment because they've been playing at a level that she's just reached.” “. .
“Where the resentment comes in is the hard work, the commitment, the dedication, the pounding the pavement, being in the grind all these years trying to elevate this brand that is the WNBA and women's professional basketball and all of their efforts were in vain until this girl comes along and sweeps the league, takes up the sport in college, and has accomplished in a short period of time what they had not been able to.
Stephen A. Smith and Monica McNutt got into a heated argument on Monday's edition of “First Take.” (Getty Images)
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“You would think people would be smart enough to recognize and appreciate that about Caitlin Clark, use that to their advantage, and praise and support her for it while competing on the court against her.”
Clark's Fever is off to a poor start to the 2024 season, with a 2-9 record.
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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