Pat McAfee Apologizes for Calling Caitlin Clark a “White B****” During ESPN Show

McAfee used the term while arguing that Clark is the reason behind the WBNA’s surge in popularity this year and addressing claims that her race is what sets her apart.

Pat McAfee and Caitlin Clark VIVIEN KILLILEA/GETTY IMAGES; ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

Pat McAfee took to social media on Monday to apologize for referring to Indiana Fever basketball star Caitlin Clark as a “white bitch” during a segment on his ESPN show.

“I shouldn’t have used ‘white bitch’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark,” McAfee wrote on Twitter. “No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe. My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize.”

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McAfee noted he had also sent a personal apology to Clark, and that the rest of his speech was “still alllllll facts.”

Earlier on Monday, McAfee appeared on his ESPN show arguing that Clark is the singular reason behind the WBNA’s surge in popularity and addressing claims that her race is what sets her apart.

“What we’re trying to say is, what the WNBA currently has is what we like to describe as a cash cow. There is a superstar,” McAfee said. “But I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class.’ Nah, just call it for what it is. There is one white bitch for the Indiana team who is a superstar.”

Clark was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft in April after rising to stardom while playing for the University of Iowa.

“Is there a chance people just enjoy watching her play basketball because of how electrifying she is, what she did what she stood for, how she went about going what she went for?” McAfee said. “Maybe. But instead, we have to hear people say we only like her because she’s white, and she’s only popular because the rest of the rookie class is doing what they’re doing. Well, that’s a bunch of bullshit and we think the WNBA — more specifically their refs — need to stop trying to screw her over at every single turn. What you have is somebody special, and we’re lucky she’s here in Indiana.”

Though his speech was complimentary, the pejorative term was met with backlash online.

“This is just completely unacceptable,” ESPN analyst Kim Adams wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Interested to see how ESPN handles it. And his entire argument is not conducive to anything going on in the WNBA right now. Just let the women hoop.”

ESPN did not immediately respond to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for comment.

HOT NEWS:

CHENNEDY CARTER CONTINUES TO SHOW ZERO REMORSE FOR HER DIRTY FOUL ON CAITLIN CLARK AS SHE CLAPS BACK AT HER HATERS DURING FIERY INTERVIEW

Chennedy Carter Continues To Show Zero Remorse For Her Dirty Foul On Caitlin Clark As She Claps Back At Her Haters During Fiery Interview

Chennedy Carter (Photo via Getty Images & @JoriParys/Twitter)Chennedy Carter refused to discuss her nasty body check on Caitlin Clark after the Indiana Fever beat the Chicago Sky on Saturday. However, she broke her silence on the matter while speaking to reporters on Monday.

Carter and Angel Reese faced the media after the WNBA upgraded her foul on Clark to a flagrant-1 violation, with the shooting guard insisting she had “no regrets” over the incident and would continue to play hard.

“I’m going to compete and play 100% hard no matter who it is or who we’re playing,” she said, per CBS Chicago.

Carter also said she has “no complaints” about the criticism she and the Sky have been fielding since the loss, despite the negative attention it has brought to the WNBA.

“We’ve been able to take a lot of hits in the last 24, 48 hours. I’m over here smiling,” she remarked via the Daily Herald. “I’m not complaining. … At the end of the day, it’s all love outside of basketball. When we’re in those four lines, it’s smoke. After, it’s all love.”

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Chennedy Carter Was Busy On The Socials After Saturday’s Game

Despite refusing to answer questions about Caitlin Clark or the foul on Saturday, Chennedy Carter was active on social media.

She threw shade at Caitlin’s game, suggesting the Fever point guard can only shoot threes. She also went after the people calling for the team to get an enforcer for their star while liking several posts praising her actions during the game.

Clark, meanwhile, has taken the high road as she hasn’t addressed Carter directly, although she has pointed out that players seem to be getting away with cheap shots against her.

HOT NEWS:

BRITTNEY GRINER HAD A FOUR-WORD REACTION TO CAITLIN CLARK AND ALL THE WNBA ROOKIE DRAMA THIS SEASON

Brittney Griner Had A Four-Word Reaction To Caitlin Clark And All The WNBA Rookie Drama This Season

Brittney Griner (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Brittney Griner has reacted to the drama sweeping across the WNBA due to the fresh rookie class.

While the likes of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have changed the landscape of women’s basketball just a few games into their professional careers, they aren’t very popular among some veteran players.

Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, was already one of the biggest names in basketball as a college player. And her fame continues to spread despite the tough start to her stint with the Indiana Fever. Reese, while not as popular, isn’t far behind.

Griner is quite accustomed to stardom. She won a national title in 2012 before capturing a WNBA title two years into her professional career.

The veteran center is out with a toe injury and hasn’t played this season. While she hasn’t seen any action in 2024, Brittney Griner is proud of the impact of Clark, Reese, and other rookies on the WNBA and women’s sports in general.

“I think it’s amazing for women’s sports, with these rookies — I think it’s amazing,” she told TMZ.

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Brittney Griner (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Rookies Haven’t Gotten Off To The Best Start

Of course, the ride hasn’t been smooth for either of the aforementioned rooks. Clark is 2-9 to start the season and getting rough treatment from her counterparts.

Reese has gotten off to a better start with the Chicago Sky but has fielded some criticism recently after she was caught celebrating her teammate’s hard foul on Clark during their first game against each other over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Sky and Fever are scheduled to play each other twice again this month.