ESPN’s Pat McAfee Faces Backlash After Calling WNBA Star Caitlin Clark a ‘White B*tch’

ESPN host Pat McAfee is facing backlash after he called WNBA star Caitlin Clark a “White b*tch” during a rant on his show Monday while praising her accomplishments in the women’s basketball league.

In a lengthy segment, McAfee argued that it is Clark and Clark alone who is behind the WNBA’s surge in popularity this year, contending that some have argued that it’s because she’s a White player that she’s become so popular.

McAfee, the former NFL punter turned shock jock, argued that is not the case, outlining Clark’s dominant television ratings, ticket sales and jersey sales {snip}

“What we’re trying to say is, what the WNBA currently has is what we like to describe as a cash cow. There is a superstar,” McAfee said. “But I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class.’ Nah, just call it for what it is. There is one White b*tch for the Indiana team who is a superstar.”

{snip}

“Is there a chance 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?” McAfee said. “Maybe. But instead we have to hear people say 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 bulls**t and we think the WNBA — more specifically their refs — need to stop trying to screw her over at every single turn. {snip}”

While McAfee’s praise of Clark was effusive, his use of the pejorative term “White b*tch” and focus on the race of the players drew backlash, including from some ESPN staffers.

Addressing the backlash, McAfee posted at 4:13 p.m. ET on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I shouldn’t have used ‘white b*tch’ 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.

{snip}