ESPN’s Pat McAfee apologized after referring to Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark as a “white b—-” during his opening monologue on Monday.
McAfee’s theme was how Clark deserves the credit for the upturn in interest in the WNBA, not other members of the league’s rookie class that includes Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
Following the show, McAfee posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “I shouldn’t have used ‘white b—-‘ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe
“My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100 percent on me and for that I apologize… I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well. Everything else I said… still alllllll facts.”
USA Today and CNN reported that ESPN declined requests for comment on McAfee’s remarks.
During his show, McAfee said of the WNBA’s current spotlight, “I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘this rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class.’ Nah, just call it for what it is, there’s one white b—- for the Indiana team who is a superstar, and is it because she stayed in Iowa, put an entire state on her back, took a program from nothing to a multiple-year success story?”
The Indianapolis-based host added, “Is there a chance that people just enjoy watching her play basketball because (of) how electrifying she is, what she did, what she stood for, how she went about going what she went for? Maybe. But instead, we have to hear people say that we only like her because she’s white, and she’s only popular because the rest of the rookie class is doing what they’re doing.
“Well, that’s a bunch of bull—- and we think the WNBA — more specifically their refs — need to stop trying to screw her over at every single turn. What you have is somebody special, and we’re lucky she’s here in Indiana.”
McAfee, 37, was the Indianapolis Colts’ punter from 2009-16.
–Field Level Media