Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson found herself in the headlines for the wrong reason after criticizing Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

Clark was recently named Athlete of the Year by Time Magazine, joining the likes of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, soccer icon Lionel Messi and gymnastics ace Simone Biles, among others.

Johnson, however, wasn’t sold on the title accorded to Clark, saying the Fever guard shouldn’t be solely getting credit for the huge strides the WNBA made this season. She also suggested that the magazine should’ve named the entire league as Athlete of the Year.

Legendary athletes have expressed support for Clark since she entered the WNBA, including NBA Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal and tennis greats Billie Jean King and Serena Williams.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark pumps up the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

On Saturday, another one joined the list: Tennis icon Chris Evert. She reacted to Johnson’s comments by pointing out Clark’s wide influence.

“Caitlin Clark deserves this award because of her talent and contributions both on and off the court,” wrote Evert on X.

Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, also made significant contributions to her sport as one of the greatest tennis players in history. She’s a strong advocate of health awareness after surviving ovarian cancer.

 

Clark, meanwhile, hasn’t reacted yet to Johnson’s remarks, as of writing. She has repeatedly said she has learned how to brush off the negativity, choosing instead to focus on her game.

With her competitive fire and unlimited range, Clark led the Fever to their first appearance in the playoffs since 2016. She was named Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the MVP trophy.