A recent column by veteran sports journalist Christine Brennan, advocating for greater protection for WNBA star Caitlin Clark, has drawn sharp criticism from commentator Sarah Spain.
Brennan's Stance on Clark's Treatment
In her column, Brennan highlighted an incident where Alyssa Thomas made contact with Clark's throat during a game, describing it as "A fist to the throat. That's the picture that has immediately become part of WNBA lore." Brennan posited that Clark, whom she described as "the most famous, marketable and important women's professional team sport athlete in history," was being targeted by players like Thomas, whose careers and public profiles had benefited significantly from Clark's rising prominence.
Brennan further asserted that over the past three seasons, the WNBA and its players have consistently displayed "unabashed jealousy, disdain and outright hatred for the greatest thing to happen to them." She argued that Clark is frequently subjected to aggressive play and that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, despite receiving "the greatest gift, in Clark, any women's sports commissioner has ever received," has taken insufficient action to address the situation.
Brennan's central argument is that Clark has been subjected to more hard fouls and aggressive plays than other WNBA athletes due to feelings of jealousy and resentment. She believes the league must intervene to prevent potential serious injury to Clark, thereby safeguarding the WNBA's most significant draw.
Spain's Critique of Brennan's Journalism
Spain, however, characterized Brennan's argument as a "dereliction of duties as a journalist." In a video shared on LinkedIn, Spain stated, "We would never say the 'NBA hates' fill-in-the-blank. That's describing every single player in the league as having that opinion and being a part of an agenda. She does that all the time with the WNBA, and it is frankly dereliction of duties as a journalist."
Spain's social media activity has previously garnered attention. Earlier this year, she drew headlines for comments made about Vice President JD Vance, whom she referred to as a "demon" and stated he "made her feel ill" after being seated near him at a Team USA Olympic hockey game.
Broader Discussions and League Enforcement
Caitlin Clark's presence in the WNBA has also become intertwined with broader cultural discussions. Some observers suggest that Clark, without intending to, has become a focal point in a "culture war." For instance, sports commentator Jemele Hill recently commented, "The right has found their White Grievance Batman in Caitlin Clark."
The core of Brennan's argument is that the WNBA should ensure fair play and consistent rule enforcement for all athletes. This perspective suggests that while no player should receive special treatment, aggressive actions, such as a player striking another in the throat, should be met with appropriate consequences, aligning with the league's established rules.
