Social media personality and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy came to the defense of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark anew.
On Monday, Portnoy shared an X post about Emmanuel Acho’s recent comments about Clark. In Sunday’s “Speakeasy,” Acho called the Fever star a “distraction” and claimed the WNBA would be better without her.
“The W, at this junction in time, would be better without Caitlin Clark, because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive,” Acho said. “Caitlin Clark has gotten the WNBA over the necessary threshold they needed. Now people are watching. Now we realize, ‘Oh, there’s talent in the W.’
“Talent that’s actually even greater than Caitlin Clark. … Caitlin got the necessary eyes there. But now that the eyes are there, we don’t necessarily need her anymore. Caitlin did what only Caitlin could do, and we don’t necessarily need her to do anymore. Thank you, Caitlin. We can take it from here.”
In his tweet on Monday, Portnoy added a meme that said, “That’s bait,” and wrote:
“Nobody could be this stupid so I’m gonna give him a pass.”
Alyssa Thomas‘ flagrant 2 foul on Clark on Wednesday ignited conversations about the WNBA players’ alleged treatment of the Fever star. Clark’s fans also claimed that the two-time All-Star is being officiated differently, citing the several no-calls against her.
Dave Portnoy blasts WNBA for treatment of Caitlin Clark
Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy, who once proclaimed himself a Caitlin Clark fan, blasted the WNBA for its alleged treatment of Caitlin Clark.
On Monday’s episode of “Wake up Barstool,” Portnoy claimed that the league is “jealous” of the Indiana Fever star’s popularity and added that she is being marketed poorly.
“Well, it’s the worst-marketed league in the history of leagues,” Portnoy said. “They’re absolute morons. … No one has ever come into the league like she has. It’s jealousy and it’s hypocrisy. And just not knowing where your bread is buttered is what it is.
“They don’t like that she has been crowned this queen of the league before she even showed up. And they want to make a point about it, and they continue to make a point about it.”
Portnoy then doubled down on Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments that Clark is “treated and attacked and harassed differently than virtually every player.”
Clark missed Indiana’s 111-87 win over the LA Sparks on Saturday due to a back injury. Fever coach Stephanie White said before that game that her return is unclear, but they will use their week-long hiatus to focus on her recovery. Indiana returns to action on Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos
