In yet another explosive commentary, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back as he torched what he described as an undercurrent of “resentment” toward rookie phenom Caitlin Clark within the WNBA. His words cut deep into a controversy that has been simmering for weeks — and now it’s boiling over.

🚨“You Can Feel It” — Smith Says There’s More Than Just ‘Competition’ at Play

During a heated segment on First Take, Smith blasted the league for what he perceives as a subtle yet unmistakable hostility directed at Clark, the former Iowa star who shattered records and brought millions of new eyes to women’s basketball.

“There is no denying Caitlin Clark’s impact. And yet, instead of celebrating her, some players and insiders seem to be bitter, as if her success somehow threatens them,” Smith said.

He wasn’t done.

“You can feel it in the tone. The aggression. The comments. There’s resentment — and that’s a problem the WNBA has to address, or it will undermine everything Caitlin Clark is doing for the league.”

💥The Backlash: “Welcome to the League” or Something More Sinister?

Since entering the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick for the Indiana Fever, Clark has been on the receiving end of hard fouls, dismissive remarks, and what some fans are calling targeted physicality. Smith is just the latest to speak out — but perhaps the most influential.

“This isn’t just ‘rookie hazing,’” Smith argued. “This feels personal.”

Fans have noticed too. Social media erupted after a controversial foul by Chennedy Carter of the Chicago Sky, who body-checked Clark without the ball — a play many said crossed the line. Even worse? Carter initially refused to mention Clark by name in interviews.

📉Is the WNBA Sabotaging Its Own Growth?

Smith pointed out the contradiction at the heart of the WNBA’s current media explosion:

“You say you want visibility, you want ratings — well, Caitlin Clark is giving you that. Yet somehow, some in the league act like they don’t want her there.”

Clark’s arrival has led to a spike in ticket sales, TV ratings, and merchandise revenue. But Smith fears the league is blowing a once-in-a-generation opportunity by allowing petty jealousies to fester.

“You don’t have to love Caitlin Clark,” he said, “but you’d be a fool not to respect what she’s doing for women’s basketball.”

⚖️A League at a Crossroads

This isn’t just about one player anymore. It’s about a league struggling to define its identity in the face of mainstream attention. Is the WNBA ready to embrace superstardom, or will internal friction derail the momentum?

Smith’s commentary serves as a warning: Let the game be competitive — not combative. If the league can’t protect its brightest stars, what message does that send to future talent?

🗣️Final Shot from Stephen A.:

“Caitlin Clark isn’t the problem. She’s the solution. And if you resent that, maybe the problem is you.”

🔥 Boom. Smith dropped the mic. Now, the WNBA — and its players — must decide what comes next.

Stephen A. Smith Scorches WNBA ‘Resentment’ About Caitlin Clark

If you’re a women’s basketball fan, you have heard about the ongoing narrative regarding the WNBA and its veteran players’ resentment toward the league’s new crop of superstars, specifically Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark.

Many members of the media have touched on this topic since Clark entered the league in 2024. And Sports pundit Stephen A. Smith delivered his own verdict during a June 4 episode of the PBD Podcast

“It’s really not about [Clark], guys. It’s about what she represents,” Smith said. “Before she ever came along, there were a lot of outstanding basketball players… that was doing their thing at a WNBA level. And they never got this kind of shine. This girl, the golden goose, comes along, and she wreaks havoc.”

Smith later added, “It’s not about hating on her. It’s that you feel she is getting a level of attention that you deserved and you warranted long before she ever came along. It’s understandable, but it happens… [resentment] happens [in basketball].

“So to me, there’s nothing wrong with the resentment you may feel towards what [Clark] represents. It’s actually good because it provides a level of hostility, which elevates the competitive fervor, and y’all go out there and compete, and everybody gets paid!” he continued.

“But unfortunately, you almost feel like you have some folks within the WNBA that wishes that they’d rather not be in a very fruitful position, because of their resentment towards her. And they don’t admit it, but I’ve been talking about it for months.”

Smith had indeed been talking about it for months now, and his sentiment about this “resentment” remains as strong as ever.