Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark speaks during a WNBA basketball press conference in Indianapolis, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Daron Cummings)
Caitlin Clark is more than a flash in the pan. She is movement.
Talk show host Colin Cowherd said this a few weeks ago, and it's still true. It also means that it must be reflected in coverage of Clarke in particular and women's sport in general.
According to authorized sportswear retailer Fanatics, Clark's Indiana Fever No. 22 is the best-selling jersey of all time on draft night for players in any sport. ESPN provided insightful and thoughtful coverage of the WNBA players selected in New York, both at the anchor desk and in the crowd with Holly Rowe.
The same cannot be said for her Fever introductory press conference. Greg Doyle, the talented and award-winning columnist for the Indianapolis Star, was called on Wednesday to ask Clark questions. Then, as Doel made a heart with his hands, he said, “Hurry up, let me do this.” The exchange that followed was beyond awkward and disgusting.
Clark: “Is that what you like?”
Doyle: “I'm glad you're here.”
Clark: “We do that as a family after every game.”
Doyle: “If you start doing that to me, we'll get along just fine.”
I didn't know Archie Bunker worked in the media. Doyle called his actions “terrible” and apologized. As former Pro Football Writers president Lindsay Jones tweeted, “Dear (male) reporters. Don't do this.”
Can you imagine a female reporter having that kind of interaction with Caleb Williams on a Thursday night in Chicago? She would have her guts pulled out. Regardless of gender, athletes have the right to be treated with respect. Iowa State's championship game loss to South Carolina drew nearly 19 million viewers, the most of any hoops game since 2019, and the most viewers of any sport other than football and the Olympics in that span. exceeded the rate.
Women's sports are experiencing unprecedented popularity, and writer Jemele Hill explains that “sports media will ultimately be forced to grow.”
Doyle and Clark's exchange comes weeks after Los Angeles Times reporter Ben Bolch apologized for a preview article about the UCLA vs. LSU women's hoops matchup that was a “disastrous loss” and derided as sexist. . The newspaper removed the offensive language in the article, saying it did not meet the Times' editorial standards.
I covered women's sports extensively in both Prep and CU Women's Hoops early in my career, and have regularly covered DU Gymnastics in recent years. We all make mistakes. I certainly think so. However, there is no denying that women's sports are important. And now is the time to make our coverage better.
It's bad enough that the Rockies are embarrassing themselves on the field. Now they have stopped doing that. Last week, a viral video showed hitting instructor Hensley Meulens sitting in the cockpit of the team's chartered flight to Toronto. The FAA is now involved. United Airlines removed the pilot from his job pending an investigation. The Rockies should do the same with Mullens' actions and his decision to post them on social media. …
Disagreements about JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Make the first round of the NFL Draft attractive. I don't think McCarthy will go beyond No. 6, but I've talked to people close to him who say there's a strong possibility that either Knicks or Penix will be available at the top of the second round. …
The Broncos will debut their new uniforms on Monday. The buzz on social media is that the jersey contains more triangles than a geometry class. I'm sure the fan reaction will be calm and reasonable. …
Sneaky pick by the Broncos at 12 years old? Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. Is it crazy to think they would acquire Alto and trade Garrett Bolles on Day 2?…
It's probably playoff time. Every national sports program is talking about what the Lakers are doing. We're going to beat the Nuggets. As you know, the Lakers are a team that has lost eight straight to Denver. Well then. …
email time
Raiders and Broncos fans are losers. They seem to be crying (about moving up in the QB draft). Follow your choice. ”
— George Roditis via Twitter
By George – Or is it Bye George? – Simmer it down, my friend. The Broncos have had 13 starters since Peyton Manning. The Raiders' best quarterback in the last 20 years (Derek Carr) will start in New Orleans. It's understandable that this fan base would be alarmed and lament the need for more functionality at the most important position in sports. While we're handing out pacifiers, can we also give the Broncos a playmaking tight end and receiver?
