CNN
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ESPN host Pat McAfee has apologized for calling Caitlin Clark a “White b*tch” throughout a Monday present phase over whether or not race has performed an element within the WNBA rookie’s meteoric rise.
“I shouldn’t have used ‘white b*itch’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. Regardless of the context.. even when we’re speaking about race being a cause for among the stuff taking place. I’ve method an excessive amount of respect for her and girls to place that into the universe,” McAfee wrote Monday afternoon on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
“My intentions when saying it had been complimentary identical to all the phase however, a whole lot of of us are saying that it definitely wasn’t in any respect,” he added. “That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize.”
McAfee wrote that he had despatched an apology to Clark, as effectively.
The apology got here hours after McAfee argued on his program, which airs on each ESPN and YouTube, that it’s Clark and Clark alone who’s behind the WNBA’s surge in recognition this yr, contending that some have argued that it’s as a result of she’s a White participant that she’s turn into so well-liked.
McAfee, the previous NFL punter turned shock jock, argued that’s not the case, outlining Clark’s dominant tv rankings, ticket gross sales and jersey gross sales in a sport show-style phase he referred to as, “Guess Which WNBA Rookie.”
“What we’re making an attempt to say is, what the WNBA at the moment has is what we like to explain as a money cow. There’s a celebrity,” McAfee had mentioned. “However I would love the media those that proceed to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class.’ Nah, simply name it for what it’s. There’s one White b*tch for the Indiana group who’s a celebrity.”
McAfee went on to explain how Clark “carried” Iowa’s basketball program and shattered NCAA scoring data.
“Is there an opportunity individuals simply get pleasure from watching her play basketball due to how electrifying she is, what she did what she stood for, how she went about going what she went for?” McAfee mentioned. “Perhaps. However as a substitute now we have to listen to individuals say we solely like her as a result of she’s White, and she or he’s solely well-liked as a result of the remainder of the rookie class is doing what they’re doing. Effectively, that’s a bunch of bulls**t and we predict the WNBA — extra particularly their refs — must cease making an attempt to screw her over at each single flip. What you might have is someone particular and we’re fortunate she’s right here in Indiana.”
Whereas McAfee’s reward of Clark was effusive, his use of the pejorative time period “White b*tch” and concentrate on the race of the gamers drew backlash, together with from some ESPN staffers.
“That is simply utterly unacceptable,” ESPN analyst Kim Adams wrote on X. “ to see how ESPN handles it. And his complete argument shouldn’t be conducive to something occurring within the WNBA proper now. Simply let the ladies hoop.”
“The boys will not be okay,” ESPN WNBA reporter Alexa Philippou wrote on X, shortly after the phase aired.
“Past unacceptable,” wrote The Athletic reporter and NBC sports activities analyst Nicole Auerbach.
“Referring to Caitlin Clark as ‘the white b*tch for Indiana.’ That’s past being too comfy. Simply completely unacceptable,” former ESPN host Jemele Hill wrote on X.
ESPN declined to remark to CNN on the matter. The Indiana Fever didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The backlash wasn’t the primary time McAfee has prompted complications for ESPN.
Earlier this yr, McAfee ignited a torrent of shock when he allowed the conspiracy-curious New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to baselessly recommend throughout his present that ABC late-night speak present host Jimmy Kimmel is likely to be named in paperwork figuring out Jeffrey Epstein associates. McAfee later apologized after Kimmel threatened to take authorized motion and declared Rodgers would not seem on the present for the remainder of the season.
McAfee additionally went after former ESPN government Norby Williamson, accusing the community veteran of “sabotage” and calling him a “rat,” alleging he leaked false details about McAfee’s present.
Only a few months after these assaults, Williamson departed the community.
Clark, in the meantime, was named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for Could. In 11 video games, Clark has averaged 15.6 factors, 6.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds.