Jemele Hill has called Caitlin Clark’s fame and success partly “problematic,” as the former ESPN personality cited the Indiana Fever star’s “race and sexuality” as reasons for her rise.
Clark, last month’s No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever, signed a $28 million deal with Nike and received his own exclusive shoe from the brand, as well as endorsement deals with companies like State Farm and Wilson.
However, Hill believes his success shows an imbalance in the way non-white LGBTQ players are publicly received, compared to the white, straight Clark.
“We would all be very naive if we didn’t say that race and his sexuality influenced his popularity,” Hill told the Los Angeles Times.
‘While so many people are happy for Caitlin’s success, including the players; “This has had a huge impact on the game; there’s a bit of it that’s a bit problematic because of what it says about the value and marketability of the players that are already there.”
Clark, 22, is dating former Iowa men’s basketball player Connor McCaffrey.
Caitlin Clark, seen playing for the Fever on Monday, has become a huge celebrity.
Jemele Hill said some of Clark’s success is “problematic” in an interview with the LA Times
Hill continued: ‘It’s not jealousy. It’s simply the fact that in our society, black women are often written out of the picture.
“While Caitlin Clark’s success should be widely celebrated, there are several points where we have seen dynamic phenomena and how they have been able to popularize the game. It’s just that, for some reason, it could be race, it could be gender, it could be a myriad factors, they were missing that same marketing muscle that seems very intentional to make sure Caitlin Clark is a superstar.
Hill’s comments follow recent comments from Las Vegas Aces star A’Ja Wilson, who admitted that race was a “huge thing” in Clark’s rise in popularity.
Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP, received a Nike signature earlier this month in honor of rookie Clark.
“I think a lot of people might say it’s not about black and white, but for me it is,” he told the AP.
“It’s really because you can be great at who you are as a black woman, but maybe that’s something people don’t want to see.
Clark is straight and dating former Iowa player Connor McCaffery (seen above)
A’ja Wilson says ‘it makes my blood boil’ when people think race is not a marketing factor
‘They don’t see you as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard you work. No matter what we all do as black women, we are still going to be swept under the rug. That’s why my blood boils when people say it’s not about race, because it is.
For his part, Clark responded, “the more love we can share, the better.”
“Yes, I think there are opportunities for every player in women’s basketball,” Clark said, when asked about Wilson’s comments. “I think the more opportunities we can provide across the board, that’s what will elevate women’s basketball. It doesn’t have to be one or two players. I think that even goes back to college.
‘Parity in women’s basketball is what makes more people want to come watch it. And I think the more we can spread the love, show people, show their talents, show their teams, that will continue to elevate it. I think that’s the most important thing”.