Stephen A. Smith’s Caitlin Clark Defense May Have Cost Him Courtside WNBA Seats
It’s no secret that ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has never been shy with a hot take. But his recent defense of Caitlin Clark may have come with unexpected consequences.
Following Clark’s left quadriceps injury, Smith took to the PDB podcast to call out what he saw as an uncomfortable truth: the physical targeting of Clark on the court may not be about basketball alone.
“There’s resentment. It’s not just about her play. It’s what she represents. That’s the reality. It’s undeniable,” Smith said.
He wasn’t wrong. Clark has become a ratings juggernaut for the WNBA. Her games average 1.2 million viewers, and Indiana Fever matchups reportedly drive nearly 45% of the league’s current broadcast value. Her impact on the W is real, and it’s massive.
Smith’s Comments Stir Backlash—And Ticket Trouble?
But now, Smith is raising eyebrows again. In a recent YouTube video, he claimed he’s had trouble getting courtside seats, despite being willing to pay for them.
“I have no idea why it’s such a hard time for me to get courtside seats… but that’s a different subject for another day,” Smith said.
This comes amid growing criticism that Smith only recently began covering women’s basketball seriously. ESPN colleague Monica McNutt notably challenged him earlier this year, questioning his coverage of women’s sports before Clark’s meteoric rise.
Some fans now wonder: is Smith being frozen out over his commentary? Or is it simply high demand for Clark-led games?
Clark Injury Watch Continues Ahead of Commissioner’s Cup Final
Meanwhile, Clark’s status for the Commissioner’s Cup Final remains uncertain. Coach Stephanie White offered a cautious update:
“We still don’t know. It’s a day-to-day thing… We got to be smart about this.”
Clark is currently averaging 18.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. But her shooting numbers, just 39% from the field and 29.5% from deep, have slipped. Likely due in part to the physical toll and lingering injuries.
The Fever are 3-4 without Clark. If they hope to bring home the Cup, they’ll need their superstar healthy quickly.
Read More: Stephen A. Set to Become ESPN’s NFL Face
