In a heated discussion on "The View," co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin defended WNBA player Chennedy Carter after a flagrant foul on rookie star Caitlin Clark went viral. The foul, which occurred during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky, has sparked widespread debate about the physicality of women's basketball and the scrutiny faced by its players.
"Let's be realistic, OK? This is basketball, OK?" Goldberg stated emphatically. "This happens in basketball all the time. Angel Reese got clotheslined the other day." Goldberg's comments came after Carter hip-checked Clark to the ground, a move that was initially called a common foul but later upgraded to a flagrant-1 violation upon review by the league.
The incident has ignited discussions about whether Clark, the first overall draft pick known for her impressive college career at Iowa, is being unfairly targeted due to the attention she brings to the WNBA. Clark's prowess on the court, combined with her significant media presence, including a $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, has made her a focal point in the league.
Goldberg suggested that the criticism of Carter's foul was overblown. "They're there to win. And just because they're women, get over yourselves, they're athletes," she said, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport. Co-host Sunny Hostin echoed this sentiment, reminding viewers that basketball is inherently a contact sport. "It's not dainty play. When you're sitting there [and] you're watching, sometimes when that happens you think, 'Ooh, wow. I couldn't take it,'" Hostin remarked.
Hostin also noted that the foul on Clark was indeed a flagrant foul but argued that such incidents are part of the game and contribute to the development of the players. "It's going to make them better. It's going to make Caitlin better. It's going to make Angel better. It's going to make the league better," she asserted.
The conversation on "The View" also touched on broader issues within the WNBA, including the role of race and public perception. Hostin previously suggested that Clark's visibility and endorsements could be attributed to "White privilege" and "pretty privilege," pointing out that the majority of WNBA players are Black and many are part of the LGBTQ+ community. "We have to do something about that stigma in this country," she said.
During the segment, co-host Ana Navarro cited remarks by Becky Hammon, head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, to emphasize that the issue should not be framed as racial. "It's not about Caitlin. Give her her flowers. She's done stuff that no man or woman, Black or White, has ever done in college basketball," Hammon said, a sentiment Navarro agreed with, urging viewers to appreciate the athletic achievements without making it a racial issue.
Clark's rise in the WNBA has been meteoric. Known for her exceptional shooting and passing, she became the all-time leading scorer in Division I basketball history and led Iowa to consecutive NCAA championship game appearances. Her transition to the professional league has been closely watched, with each game drawing significant media attention.
Despite the controversy, Clark remains a central figure in the WNBA's efforts to elevate the profile of women's basketball. Her influence extends beyond the court, as seen in her lucrative endorsement deals and the record ratings her games have attracted.
The incident involving Carter's foul and the subsequent discussions on "The View" highlight the growing pains of a league striving to gain respect and recognition. As Goldberg concluded, "This is what sports are. They play hard and they play brilliantly. Because none of us can beat them. None of us can do what they can do, so let's give them their due."
As the WNBA continues to grow in prominence, such debates are likely to persist, reflecting the broader societal conversations about gender, race, and the evolution of sports. The physicality of the game and the public's reaction to it will remain a key part of this ongoing narrative.
