Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has received a considerable amount of criticism from fans for her slow start thus far to her WNBA career. And unfortunately, media members have been quick to pile onto Clark as well, which ESPN’s Sarah Spain has taken exception to.
Through four games in the WNBA, Clark has had some considerable struggles when it comes to turning the ball over. Her 26 total turnovers on the season are far and away the most of any player in the league.
The struggles are understandable considering like many players in the league, she is a rookie who is still trying to find her footing in the league.
Despite this, many critics have begun to criticize Clark for not coming into the WNBA and immediately setting the world on fire, which may be a bit unfair.
Sarah Spain took to X, previously known as Twitter, on Monday night after the Fever’s latest game to call out her fellow media members in a series of posts about their unfair criticisms of Clark.
“Truly fascinated by the members of the media I see actively rooting against Caitlin Clark,” wrote Spain. “Not being critical in a journalistic way, not highlighting mistakes or room for growth, just taking petty shots. Not just unprofessional but completely losing the plot. It’s fine if you don’t like the hype for a rookie, resent the coverage she’s getting compared to vets &/or (rightfully!) believe race is a factor for some folks in supporting her, but text friends your BS, don’t tweet it. These are the kind of stars the game needs to grow.
“At this powerful moment of expansion, investment & growth, to choose to spoil the space, neglect your job as a journalist, disingenuously complain about things that actually aren’t unique to her & talk trash about her is cynical and counterproductive. Use the attention on her to point out other players on the court. Use her stats as a news peg to highlight a player from the past who deserves flowers. Love the game, share the love, don’t poison the space. Obviously folks can do what they want, just my two cents.”
Spain certainly raises a fair point. The WNBA desperately needs a star like Clark to emerge to help grow the sport. So for media members to publically be putting her down because of some early-season struggles seems a bit harsh.
