Stephen A. Smith and Caitlin Clark WireImage; Getty Photos
Stephen A. Smith is aware of a factor or two about stirring up debate, however in relation to the success of Caitlin Clark, he’s not taking the bait.
In an unique interview with Us Weekly, the cohost of ESPN’s First Take, 56 — who seems within the ESPN+ docuseries Up for Debate, out there to stream now — pushed again on the notion that the recognition of Clark, 22, is intrinsically tied to her race.
“I feel, as a society, now we have to develop up,” Smith mentioned. “Race is at all times a element we will’t ignore, nevertheless it doesn’t at all times must be damaging. While you have a look at Caitlin Clark — sure, she’s white, and sure, she’s getting a degree of shine that others earlier than her didn’t get who occurred to be Black and so they had been terrific gamers — however that’s an indictment in opposition to society.”
After Clark made her extremely anticipated WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever on Might 14, former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill informed the Los Angeles Instances that Clark’s race has “performed a job in her reputation,” calling the fanfare surrounding her “slightly problematic.”
The View’s Sunny Hostin shared an analogous sentiment on Wednesday, Might 22, citing Clark’s “white privilege.”
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and extra basketball stars proved that scoring on the court docket isn’t the one factor they’re good at. The athletes confirmed Us their modern aspect on the WNBA Draft. Earlier than WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert introduced their new dwelling groups, the 2024 class rocked the crimson carpet on the Brooklyn Academy […]
Conversely, Smith argued the media has achieved “a fantastic job” in protecting Clark’s simple affect on ladies’s basketball.
Caitlin Clark ANGELA WEISS/AFP by way of Getty Photos
“The media goes to go the place the story is,” Smith mentioned. “Caitlin Clark has achieved an outstanding job turning herself right into a story. She occurs to be white, but additionally occurs to be a terrific basketball participant, a terrific individual with terrific household background with terrific marketability belongings.”
Smith additionally praised Clark’s activism and outspokenness about the inequalities going through the WNBA.
“She makes use of it as a chance to deliver consideration to the truth that the women don’t have constitution flights. Two days later, they bought constitution flights,” Smith famous. “They needed constitution flights for 22 years and this lady is available in and in two days will get it achieved for them. While you’re conscientious and your coronary heart is in the fitting place, I feel that’s a gorgeous factor.”
Within the new docuseries Up for Debate, which explores the previous, current and way forward for sports activities debate, Smith addresses his specific model of fiery commentary — and why it doesn’t at all times paint an correct image of who he’s when the cameras go down.
“I don’t need to make enemies. Don’t inform anyone, however I’m not a nasty man,” Smith mentioned. “I’m really a pleasant man. I bought numerous mates. I bought numerous family members.”
Nonetheless, Smith acknowledged, “I don’t spend an excessive amount of time attempting to faux that one thing is what it isn’t. I’ve at all times been that approach. I knew I used to be going to be that approach on this business. I’ve been that approach, and rattling it, I’m gonna keep that approach.”
All three episodes of Up for Debate can be found to stream now on ESPN+.
