‘Self-Flagellation’: Caitlin Clark Talks ‘White’ Privilege, Says WNBA ‘Built’ By Black Women

WNBA star Caitlin Clark acknowledged her supposed “white” privilege and said the WNBA was “built” by black women during a recent interview with TIME Magazine.

Clark, who has been disparaged by players in the WNBA based on her skin color, was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year.

“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark told TIME. “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players. This league has kind of been built on them.”

Clark went on to say that corporations need to invest in black players.

“The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important,” she said.

“I have to continue to try to change that,” Clark added. “The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”

REPORT: After being named TIME’s “Athlete of the Year,” Caitlin Clark apologizes for her white privilege and says that the WNBA is “built” on black players.

“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege.”

“A lot of those players in the… pic.twitter.com/pd2sgmUcfQ

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 10, 2024

As highlighted by Fox News, Clark has been the subject of racially charged commentary within the league. For example, WNBA player A’ja Wilson said earlier this year that Clark was popular mainly because of her skin color. Another player, DiJonai Carrington, went after Clark for not discussing racism more. Notably, Carrington poked Clark in the eye during a game, though Clark said she thought it was unintentional. Additionally, in a highly controversial move, Clark was not chosen to be on the women’s Olympic basketball team.

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Clark’s comments on race prompted some backlash online, including from journalist Megyn Kelly, who criticized her for her act of “self-flagellation.”

“Look at this,” Kelly wrote. “She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The ‘oh, please pay attention to the black players who are REALLY the ones you want to celebrate.’ Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.”

Look at this. She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The “oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.” Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad. https://t.co/cTzk0CTLPn

— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) December 10, 2024

“Caitlin Clark had to issue this WNBA Land Acknowledgement in order to be allowed in polite company,” Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro mocked.

“But let’s be real: the WNBA wasn’t built on black women. It was built on NBA men who subsidized that useless league for decades,” he added.

Caitlin Clark had to issue this WNBA Land Acknowledgement in order to be allowed in polite company. But let’s be real: the WNBA wasn’t built on black women. It was built on NBA men who subsidized that useless league for decades. pic.twitter.com/FlNEWs1clY

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 11, 2024

Related: Race-Baiting WNBA Players Are Sabotaging Their Own League Out Of Spite