During an appearance on CNN’s “NewsNight” with host Abby Phillip and contributor Cari Champion, broadcasting legend Bob Costas weighed in on the ongoing discussion about the flagrant foul committed on Caitlin Clark over the weekend.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, drawing commentary from a diverse range of voices in the media, including figures like Matt Barnes and Whoopi Goldberg.
However, Costas highlighted a lesser-discussed incident from a recent WNBA game between the Sky and Sun on May 25.
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In this instance, Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas was ejected for pulling Angel Reese down by her throat during a rebound—a moment of aggression that received far less attention than the Clark incident. Costas pointed out, “Alyssa Thomas, who is African-American, grabbed Angel Reese by the throat and threw her to the floor. The reason why that doesn’t spark as much conversation isn’t just that Caitlin Clark is a bigger star than Alyssa Thomas. It’s because it’s a black-on-black incident, which doesn’t have the same dynamic that people can comment on or exaggerate.”
Both Phillip and Champion expanded on Costas’ points, discussing the implications of race and star power in media coverage of the WNBA. Champion remarked, “No one cared about the WNBA when women of a certain color were beating up and bruising each other, because it’s been happening since the league’s inception. Now, with a star like Clark, new fans and analysts are suddenly vocal, showing protective instincts towards her.”
The discussion also touched on the WNBA’s reputation as a physically aggressive sport, a characteristic that has been consistent since its inception, not just in response to Clark’s arrival in 2024.
Phillip added, “That is really the between-the-lines of what’s going on here.” Champion emphasized the need for deeper sports analysis, “If you’re really going to welcome yourself to the WNBA and cover it, can we be more than just ‘jealous’? Can there be some real, true competition? Can they just be athletes?”
Former WNBA player Stacey Dales also contributed to the conversation on “The Rich Eisen Show,” explaining that the defensive attention Clark is receiving as a rookie signifies respect for her talent. “They’re doing things to her defensively, what is that? It’s respect,” said Dales. “We’re starting to say she’s getting targeted, but no, it’s pride. ‘Hey, we belong here too.’”
This nuanced discussion underscores the complexities of sports coverage and the factors influencing how incidents within games are perceived and reported.
