Dave Portnoy has called Sunny Hostin a “racist” after The View co-host controversially claimed that Caitlin Clark is only popular because of “white privilege.”
On Wednesday’s edition of the ABC talk show, Hostin divided opinion by discussing the “privileges” Clark, who broke numerous records in his storied college basketball career with Iowa, has enjoyed amid his astonishing rise to fame. .
“I think there is something called beautiful privilege,” said the lawyer and journalist. ‘There is a thing called white privilege. There is something called great privilege and we have to recognize it.’
“And part of it has to do with race because if you think about the Brittney Griners of the world, why did she have to go play in Russia? Because they wouldn’t pay her,” she said of the WNBA.
Hostin’s opinion of the Indiana Fever rookie has sparked controversy, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy taking issue with his comments this week.
Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy has defended Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark
Clark has faced criticism amid her meteoric rise to stardom as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft.
In That’s how she plays.
He then listed the players in question: “Dianna Turassi – Paige Buckets – Cameron Brink – Sue Bird – Ella Del Donne – Breanna Stewart – Sabrina Ionescu – Kelsey Plum.”
Clark enjoyed one of the most successful college careers of all time with Iowa before being selected by Indiana with the first overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft.
Despite going 0-5 in her Fever career, the 22-year-old is already putting more butts in WNBA seats, with last weekend’s loss to the New York Liberty generating a record $2 million in ticket revenue.
Hostin’s comments about Clark came from the panel that addressed former ESPN host Jemele Hill and claimed that her fame is a byproduct of her race and sexuality. While he agreed with the core of the argument, Hostin said he has no problem with Clark drawing eyes to the league.
The Barstool founder called The View’s Sunny Hostin ‘racist’ after her comments.
Sunny Hostin insisted Caitlin Clark’s popularity comes from ‘pretty white privilege’
Jemele Hill previously argued that Clark’s popularity is a byproduct of his race and sexuality.
“Now, Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, these endorsements, we hope, to the league, and other players will benefit from it,” Hostin said. “But I do think she’s easier to relate to because she’s white, because she’s attractive, and unfortunately there’s still that stigma against the LGBTQ+ community.”
‘Seventy percent of the WNBA is black. A third of gamers are from the LGBTQ+ community and we have to do something about that stigma in this country. I think people have a problem with lesbian women playing basketball. Who cares? “They are great athletes.”
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin responded by saying she became a WNBA fan because Clark is “so fun to watch,” noting that it had nothing to do with her race.
While co-host Whoopi Goldberg argued that she and Hostin have been trying to defend the WNBA for years, the former also rejected Hill’s comments.
“For them to reduce her like that really bothered me because this is her record,” Goldberg said, pointing to her note card.
Clark led Iowa to consecutive title game appearances and broke the Division 1 scoring record.
Clark is averaging 17 points, four rebounds and 5.5 assists as the Fever are off to an 0-4 start.
‘Unless you can show me who has a better record than this, that’s why she gets the attention she gets because she’s a really good player and it doesn’t matter if she’s straight or gay. Nobody cries when she makes those balls.
After Clark signed a lucrative $28 million deal with Nike after graduating, Hill criticized sports brands for not sponsoring more diverse athletes.
“Black women are often written out of the picture,” Hill said. “There is plenty of room to highlight and celebrate Caitlin Clark’s popularity while also discussing ways to not erase black women from a league they have built and continue to build.”
So far in his rookie season, Clark is averaging 17 points, four rebounds and 5.5 assists as the Fever are off to an 0-4 start. However, the WNBA has seen an increase in ticket sales and viewership with each game featuring Indiana’s newest star.