Clark has been sidelined since June 24 due to a groin injury. Despite her absence being noticeable, the Fever have performed well. In fact, they defeated the Minnesota Lynx and won the Commissioner’s Cup – all without Clark in the lineup.
But what truly sparked the controversy was Peck’s remark on ESPN’s SportsCenter, where she said:
“I think Indiana is even more dangerous when Caitlin Clark doesn’t play.”
According to her analysis, the Fever become less predictable without Clark because they no longer rely on a single player to carry the offense.
Clark supporters react with outrage
To many fans, Peck’s comment felt like a direct attack on Clark. Some even suggested that she has had a personal bias against Caitlin since her college days at Iowa. The backlash quickly spread on social media, especially on X, where users called for a boycott of ESPN and demanded a public apology.
“She doesn’t like Caitlin. Just listen to the way she always talks about her,” one user posted.
Another was more blunt: “Who even watches ESPN, bro? Let’s boycott that useless network.”
Others pointed out contradictions in the narrative:
“First they say the team doesn’t work with her, now they say they’re better without her. So which is it?”
Why are they attacking the WNBA star?
Beyond the specific comment, many fans expressed a growing concern that both the league and the media don’t know how to handle the phenomenon that is Caitlin Clark.
“I don’t understand why it feels like everyone has to hate on the best thing that’s ever happened to the WNBA,” one fan wrote, highlighting the strong protective feeling many have toward Clark.
Carolyn Peck’s history in women’s basketball
Carolyn Peck is not new to the women’s basketball world. She previously coached at Purdue and Florida and has been an ESPN analyst for years, covering both the NCAA and the WNBA. She has worked with figures like Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter. Whether fans agree or disagree with her take, her words carry the weight of experience.
For now, ESPN has remained silent. Peck simply shared her point of view as an analyst, but the public response shows that when it comes to Caitlin Clark, every opinion sparks a fire.
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