{"id":52797,"date":"2025-08-07T20:03:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/52797\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T20:03:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T20:03:09","slug":"stephen-a-smith-warns-wnba-trump-may-target-league-over-caitlin-clark-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/52797\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephen A. Smith Warns WNBA Trump May Target League Over Caitlin Clark Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephen A. Smith is sounding the alarm<\/a>, warning the WNBA that President Donald Trump could get involved if the league continues to ignore what he sees as the mistreatment<\/a> of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.<\/p>\n

Smith\u2019s stark message comes following a bold August 3 Wall Street Journal article titled “The WNBA and Caitlin Clark\u2019s Civil Rights,” which called for a congressional investigation in response to the league\u2019s ongoing tolerance of what it described as hostile treatment toward Clark.<\/p>\n

In case you were curious about how absurd the Caitlin Clark discourse can get, here is a column in today’s Wall Street Journal. (It has been 20 days since Clark last played, missing Indiana’s last seven games, 5-2 in that span.) https:\/\/t.co\/WgYJmlZr7H<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jfHbjTKNJE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ben Krimmel (@BenKrimmel) August 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something that do not be surprised that President Trump speaks on eventually,\u201d Smith said on Thursday during ESPN\u2019s First Take. \u201cIf that man decides this is something that can feed his base, that can ingratiate himself with that kind of audience that is protective of a Caitlin Clark\u2026 and they come to a conclusion that they believe she is being unfairly treated, that is going to be a problem for the WNBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

TRENDING: Stephen A. Smith says Donald Trump may push for an investigation into Caitlin Clark\u2019s treatment in the WNBA.<\/p>\n

“If he gets involved and that base gets involved, somehow, some way they embrace victimhood on the part of Clark, it could be a problem\u201dpic.twitter.com\/uYIffykNtD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

To clarify Smith\u2019s position, he does not support an investigation, but does feel there\u2019s merit behind it.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaitlin Clark is going to be politicized. It\u2019s coming. I can smell it,\u201d Smith said August 5 on his own show<\/a>. \u201c17 flagrant fouls have been called against people for beating up on Caitlin Clark. That\u2019s practically double for what\u2019s happened for any other player in the league,\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stephen A. Smith Feels Congress ‘Have A Case’ for Caitlin Clark On-Court Treatment Investigation\"CaitlinAug 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Smith provided quotes from members of the basketball world including Clark\u2019s teammate Sophie Cunningham, ESPN broadcast analyst Rebecca Lobo and legendary UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who said, \u201c[Caitlin Clark] is being targeted. I don\u2019t remember when Michael Jordan came into the NBA, guys looking to go out and beat him up,\u201d as evidence that back the claim the Wall Street Journal article argues. \u201cAnd they\u2019re not wrong,\u201d Smith summed up.<\/p>\n

Sophie Speaks on WNBA players targeting Caitlin Clark pic.twitter.com\/o0Bt0cqK1Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 J.Mac | Ball Up \ud83c\udfc0| WNBA & NBA (@Gameis_gameLFG) July 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The writer of the article, Sean McClean, boldly asserted that \u201cif evidence shows discrimination or retaliation, the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division must act.\u201d And with how Smith lays out what he sees as enough evidence to justify a federal investigation into possible civil rights violations\u2014he issued an urgent warning on First Take:<\/p>\n

\u201cI support the WNBA. I want them to succeed\u2026 I\u2019m just warning them\u2013\u2013watch it, because if [President Trump] gets involved, and that base gets involved because somehow, some way, they embrace victimhood on a part of Caitlin Clark, it could be a problem. Be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he reiterated his support for the WNBA, Smith asserted once again that the league needs to address this issue.<\/p>\n

The argument being that if the league continues to disregard what many perceive as unfair treatment of Clark, it risks turning her into a political tool to stir uproar and the WNBA could find itself in the middle of a cultural firestorm that extends way beyond basketball.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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