Stephen A. Smith has never been one to bite his tongue. But his latest remarks about Caitlin Clark and the WNBA may be the most explosive yet. The ESPN star commentator called for federal investigators to probe the WNBA over what he described as a pattern of targeting, mistreatment, and possible civil rights violations against Clark—the league’s most valuable player both on and off the court.
“Miss Clark’s targeting may reflect a culture of disparate treatment,” Smith said. “The evidence provides reasonable cause for a federal probe into potential civil rights violations.”
That’s not just sports talk. That’s Stephen A. demanding the Department of Justice step in.
The Golden Goose the WNBA Isn’t Protecting
Caitlin Clark isn’t just another rising star. She has been the single most important figure in the league’s growth over the last two seasons:
601% surge in WNBA merchandise sales
170% increase in Indiana Fever TV viewership
League Pass subscriptions up 366%
App engagement up 613%
Over $11 million in endorsements
Team values tripled
In short, Caitlin Clark has done for the WNBA what Michael Jordan once did for the NBA: she made it valuable, watchable, and marketable.
Yet instead of protecting her, the league has allowed Clark to absorb punishment at alarming rates. Stats show she absorbed 17% of all flagrant fouls last season, double the rate of any other player. Hard fouls, cheap shots, and ignored whistles have become her nightly reality.
Even Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Cunningham—two voices from within women’s basketball—have openly admitted Clark isn’t being protected.
The All-Star Snub and Player Jealousy
Fans love Clark. She received a record-breaking 1.29 million All-Star votes, more than any player in league history. Yet on the players’ ballot, she was ranked just ninth among guards.
That contrast—overwhelming fan support versus peer rejection—exposed a toxic undercurrent in the league. As Dick Vitale bluntly put it:
“Absolutely pure jealousy that WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the ninth best guard. Someday they’ll realize what she’s done for all of them—chartered planes, salary increases, sold-out crowds, improved TV ratings.”
Instead of embracing the player who elevated their contracts and visibility, veteran players seemed determined to keep her down.
Federal Heat on the Horizon
This is where Stephen A. Smith’s comments get serious. He isn’t just calling out bad officiating—he’s pointing to possible workplace safety and civil rights violations.
The Wall Street Journal recently published an op-ed arguing that Clark’s treatment could warrant federal investigation. Senator Jim Banks even sent a 2024 letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert demanding answers about Clark’s protection.
If the Department of Labor or Department of Justice were to intervene, the WNBA would face unprecedented scrutiny. Referee communications, internal emails, and league policies could all come under federal review. That could mean:
Civil rights inquiries into disparate treatment
Workplace safety investigations
As Smith warned, once federal investigators start asking questions, “everything changes overnight.”
The WNBA’s Crossroads
The stakes couldn’t be higher. When Clark sat out this year’s All-Star weekend with injuries from “roughhouse tactics,” ratings dropped 36%. That wasn’t coincidence. It was proof the WNBA’s financial health is tied directly to her presence.
The Fever know this. Their roster moves—including adding Sophie Cunningham—signal they intend to protect Clark on and off the court. But if the league itself fails to do so, sponsors, networks, and even the federal government may force change.
The WNBA now faces a simple choice:
Protect Caitlin Clark, the player who transformed the league’s economics
Or watch federal investigators, corporate partners, and angry fans hold them accountable
As Stephen A. put it, this is no longer just a basketball debate. It’s a matter of workplace safety, fair treatment, and the survival of the league’s credibility.
