The “W” in the WNBA is supposed to stand for “women” — but lately , it feels like it means “whiny.” Even before Caitlin Clark put on an Indiana Fever jersey last spring, there was a nonstop effort from a certain camp of pundits, media and other players to racialize her, smear her, and diminish both her ability on the court and the steroidal growth she alone has infused into the league. The latest temper tantrum is from Washington Mystics co-owner and multi-millionaire Sheila Johnson , who went on CNN over the weekend to cry about Clark being recognized as Time’s Athlete of the Year — the first ever WNBA star to earn the distinction.
“While Caitlin Clark is undoubtedly talented, putting one individual on such a pedestal can foster resentment in a team sport like basketball,” said Johnson. “It doesn’t reflect the collective efforts that make the game so special ..
. When you just keep singling out one player, it creates hard feelings.” Wah.
As a businesswoman, Johnson should be showing gratitude — not resentment. Instead, she advocated for a participation trophy, asking why Time “couldn’t have put the whole WNBA on that cover.” But without Clark, who was named rookie of the year , the league isn’t even sniffing a fraction of the relevance it’s enjoyed since she was drafted first overall by the Fever.
In Johnson’s appeal for equity — a poisonous principle in itself — she painted a demeaning portrait of females. The league has been sol.
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