Caitlin Clark (Photo Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images)
ESPN analyst Monica McNutt is facing backlash after attributing WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s widespread popularity to her race and Midwestern background. McNutt made the remarks during an interview with the BBC’s Katty Kay, suggesting that Clark’s identity played a role in her national appeal.

“Caitlin represented… a white girl from the middle of America,” McNutt stated. “She represented a whole lot to a lot of people, whether that is truly what she prescribed to or not.”

McNutt’s comments quickly ignited debate, with critics accusing her of fueling “racial hysteria.” Conservative media figures, including OutKick writer Bobby Burack, slammed her remarks. “Is she an idiot (like Kendrick Perkins)?” Burack wrote, comparing her to other ESPN personalities he accused of race-baiting.

Social media users also piled on, with some questioning why ESPN allows such discussions, while others defended McNutt’s take as an honest observation.

Fan Reactions And Media Outrage

Caitlin Clark (Grace Smith/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Many fans rejected McNutt’s theory, arguing that Clark’s talent alone has driven her success.

“White boys wanted to be [Michael Jordan], Kobe [Bryant], LeBron [James],” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Idk maybe it’s a skill diff.”

Others accused ESPN of promoting divisive narratives. “When did @ESPN become so woke and racist?” one critic posted.

However, McNutt also found support from those who believe her statement reflected reality. “She’s just stating the truth,” a supporter commented. “We identify with people who look like us.”

Clark has largely stayed out of the controversy but acknowledged racial privilege in an earlier TIME interview. “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” she said.

Her remarks didn’t sit well with everyone. Podcast host Megyn Kelly accused Clark of unnecessary “self-flagellation,” criticizing the star for addressing race at all. The debate surrounding Clark’s fame continues, reflecting broader discussions about race, representation, and sports media narratives.

VIDEO: Some Dude Just Dropped The Cold Hard Truth On Why All Of These NFL Prospects Are “Dating White Women”

Unless this is your first day in America, then you know race relations in this country dominate just everything, and that includes NBA and NFL drafts

During the most recent NFL Draft in Detroit, social media was buzzing as athletes showed up to the red carpet event with their girlfriends and family. Many of the incoming NFL rookies were African-American and were spotted with white women, which has become the usual theme for years.

The same thing happens with the NBA Draft.

This year, the discourse on the NFL Draft and NBA Draft has gotten even louder as African-American women openly pondered why so many of the players never have a partner that is the same race as them.

One guy on TikTok decided to answer that question by revealing that the vast majority of his division-1 friends in college or headed to the league are dating or married to white women and explained why.

He stated that some of them had told him that their white girlfriend looked up to Taylor Swift while their girlfriend looked up to Megan The Stallion. He then states the guy asks how many white women he has seen doing the Megan Thee Stallion challenge as opposed to Black women.

He then dove into another story of a friend who relayed that his Black girlfriend started to request money from him as soon as she found out about his NIL money. She wanted her hair and nails done. He then added that the Black women would be upset if they went to places like Chipotle, and she demanded steak houses.