Caitlin Clark is a national sports superstar who criticized Michael Che when he crashed Saturday Night Live’s ‘Weekend Update.’
But despite delighting NBC bosses with her first foray into primetime television, ABC executives are less than enthralled after she “respectfully declined” their offer to sign up for Dancing with the Stars.
The 22-year-old WNBA star, who was recently selected first overall by the Indiana Fever, is said to have turned down an invitation to appear in this year’s season as she plans Dive into ‘other opportunities’ after his summer on the court.
“Every offer you could get has been made to her,” an exclusive source told DailyMail.com.
‘Dancing with the Stars producers asked Caitlin to participate, but she respectfully declined.
Caitlin Clark has ‘respectfully declined’ to participate in Dancing with the Stars 2024, insiders say
The basketball star, No. 22 of the Indiana Fever, poses for a portrait at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during his introductory press conference on April 17.
‘She is focusing on the WNBA this summer and in the fall, when DWTS returns, Caitlin will look for other opportunities and pursue those goals.
“She’s not opposed to doing reality TV, but DWTS won’t be on the table much to ABC’s chagrin as they really wanted her and would have done everything they could to get her on the show, but that’s just not the case.” she’s going to pass.’
They added: “For Caitlin, if shows like Celebrity Family Feud or Masked Singer came calling, it would be more in her wheelhouse, and she’ll cross that bridge if she shows up.”
But bosses aren’t giving up on their search for a sporting legend to bring to the ballroom this summer.
“Whoever makes a considerable impact during the Olympics will 100 percent be invited to be part of the show,” the source said.
‘They’ve had former Olympians like Simone Biles and Nancy Kerrigan and would love to have more in the future.
“The chances of the program attracting more Olympic athletes are nothing more than a formality and will be a guarantee of being part of the future season.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Caitlin and ABC for comment.
A source told DailyMail.com that Dancing with the Stars producers asked Caitlin, 22, to participate, but she wants to focus on “other opportunities.”
But he would reportedly consider The Masked Singer or Celebrity Family Feud if he wanted to entertain reality TV.
Bosses aren’t giving up on their search for a sporting legend to bring to the ballroom and are keen to snare an Olympian – pictured here as Simone Biles in the 2017 series.
Caitlin received a big reception when she made a surprise appearance on SNL earlier this month alongside comedian Michael, 40, for the ‘Weekend Update’ segment.
Michael, known for downplaying women’s sports in his monologues, made a sexist joke about replacing Caitlin’s Iowa jersey, which the school is retiring, with an apron.
That’s when she appeared on stage next to him before asking him why Michael mocks women’s sports so often, a claim he initially denied.
But Colin Jost, the segment’s co-host and Scarlett Johansson’s husband, then showed a montage of some of Michael’s brutal jokes about women’s basketball, to which he added: “Unlike Che, I support women.”
Before ending the segment, Michael wished Caitlin luck in the draft, to which she responded, “I’m sure it’ll be a big step for me, but it’s just one step for the WNBA.”
Caitlin made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live earlier this month alongside cast member Michael Che for the ‘Weekend Update’ segment.
During her appearance, Caitlin saluted her basketball heroes while humiliating Michael, 40.
‘Thank you to all the great players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, the great Dawn Staley and my basketball hero Maya Moore.
‘These are the women who kicked down the door so I could get in. “That’s why I want to thank you tonight for laying the foundation.”
Caitlin’s immense success playing college basketball for Iowa has cemented her status as a national superstar after becoming the all-time leading scorer (male or female) in Division 1 history.
She was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the recent WNBA Draft.
She is expected to make her WNBA debut next month and is projected to earn up to $500,000 during her rookie season.
It comes after he reportedly signed a four-year, $338,056 contract with the team, an amount many fans and media members thought was shockingly low for the NCAA’s all-time points leader. .
He’s also about to sign a historic eight-year, $28 million deal, including an exclusive shoe, with Nike. The deal would give her the richest endorsement deal for a female basketball player.
After it was announced that Caitlin had been drafted by the Indiana Pacers, Antonio Brown attacked her on social media, and the football player posted a series of vile comments about her.
The former NFL player, who in the past has attacked Tom Brady with provocative posts, caused outrage and offense by saying that “it seems like he makes it difficult for him.”
Former NFL player Brown seems to enjoy trying to provoke stars on social media
He later returned with more insults, stating that Caitlin will have plastic surgery when her WNBA increases.
She also posted a crude meme referring to her boyfriend before following up with a tweet seemingly addressing the outrage that read: “You can’t cancel if you’ve already cancelled.”
Hours later, Antonio said Caitlin should play in the NBA instead of the female equivalent.
“I’ll say it again for the haters,” he wrote. ‘Caitlin Clark should be an NBA Draft pick. The eraser is weak. She is a generational talent. This would be the year.’
Prior to this, Indy Star Sports reporter Gregg Doyel mimicked the former Iowa star’s celebratory heart and hand gesture before saying, “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along.”
The joke sparked outrage online when Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy branded it a “sexist pervert”, prompting Doyel to apologize for the suggestive exchange.
‘Today, in my uniquely clumsy way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed her signature with my hands. [hand heart emoji,’ Doyel groveled to Twitter on Wednesday.
‘My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.’