Sheryl Swoopes apparently subscribed to the ‘if you don’t have anything good to say’ mantra during a recent broadcast mentioning Caitlin Clark.
It might be safe to say we have a brand new, good old-fashioned rivalry brewing.
Clark, who has been on fire since returning from the WNBA’s Olympic break, was named one of the league’s Players of the Week.
While her broadcast partner Ron Thulin talked about Clark and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier being recognized for their performances, Swoopes, who is paid to provide commentary, fell silent for nearly a minute.
“Both of them had outstanding weeks,” Thulin told the audience watching the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces game.
Sports Illustrated notes that he provided time for Swoopes to interject but “after several seconds of awkward silence, he picked back up the commentary.”
Sheryl Swoopes Always Quiet On Caitlin Clark
It was such an odd circumstance hearing Sheryl Swoopes shut down commentary regarding the lone mention of Caitlin Clark in the broadcast that it prompted one fan on social media to ask, “What’s wrong with her?”
It’s a good question.
Swoopes came under fire recently when she analyzed an Indiana Fever turnaround after the break and credited just about every member of the starting five except Clark. You know, the one who was named Player of the Week by the league.
That was so awkward.. what’s wrong with her 😂 https://t.co/bSPm8W0UgD pic.twitter.com/hWhoiEJOru
— maxine (@maxinem29) August 28, 2024
Her silence on that matter led to public criticism from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith who called her “insane”.
“So, no Caitlin Clark? Sheryl Swoopes, no Caitlin Clark?” Smith openly wondered. “Respectfully, Sheryl Swoopes, do you have any idea how that makes you look?”
“Because it gives fodder to those who believe she’s being hated and ostracized to some degree,” he added. “Do you realize, Sheryl Swoopes, you’re insane to do that?”
Swoopes countered with a wild rant on X calling Smith a “coward”.
RELATED: Sheryl Swoopes Rips Stephen A. Smith As a ‘Coward’ After He Calls Out Her Comments On Caitlin Clark
Professional Jealousy
So … What exactly is wrong with Sheryl Swoopes? Why does she refuse to comment on Caitlin Clark? Or acknowledge her as the new face of the league?
Maybe it’s because she’s already been caught delivering misinformation on the Fever star’s previous career at Iowa.
Swoopes notoriously tried to downplay Clark’s all-time NCAA scoring record by claiming the Iowa star needed a fifth season to top Kelsey Plum. Which was completely false.
She later apologized and admitted, “I made a mistake”.
Perhaps she’s trying to avoid those kinds of mistakes again and opting to fall silent. Which is really going to put a burden on the broadcasts. Can you imagine Swoopes calling an Indiana game and refusing to address the Rookie of the Year?
Or maybe it’s just that whole “professional jealousy” thing Shaq was talking about.
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