Rachel DeMita calls out the ‘undertone of jealousy’ against Caitlin Clark for helping WNBA grow after Alyssa Thomas’ comments
It’s no secret that Caitlin Clark helped the WNBA grow this season by bringing in a lot of new eyes to the product. However, there seems still some “undertone of jealousy” toward Clark, according to Rachel DeMita, who pointed out Alyssa Thomas’ comments about racism.
On the latest episode of her “Courtside Club” podcast on YouTube, DeMite spoke about the Indiana Fever’s elimination from the WNBA playoffs by the Connecticut Sun. She also claimed that there’s still existing jealousy of Clark among people in the league.
The former Old Dominion player added that while Thomas’ comments should be taken seriously, it was a little too late and focused on Fever fans online. She even brought up the hate Clark gets from Chicago Sky fans or even from her peers.
Caitlin Clark sets 21st-century WNBA viewership record in Indiana Fever playoff exit
“Only person that believed in me”- ‘Heartbroken’ Angel Reese vents in emotional message after Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s firing
“Alyssa Thomas is probably not going to have to worry about (Fever fans) anymore. There’s going to be a significant amount of less fans watching the WNBA now that Caitlyn is no longer in the picture.
“That is the point that I’m really not understanding in all of this, and I feel like it’s been such a pattern throughout the entire season. It feels like there are still certain people within the WNBA who want the league to grow, but they don’t want it to grow if it’s certain people at the face,” DeMita said.
She added:
“There is still this undertone of jealousy that for some reason I cannot get around calling it anything else, but that’s because I don’t know what else it could be.
“I thought it was going to get better this season, but it hasn’t. There are still people who seemingly to me, feel like they just don’t want Caitlyn to be a part of it.”
While it’s true that some parts of the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark’s fanbase are spewing hate on players going up against the Iowa product, it goes both ways. Rachel DeMita added that there are certain parts of the other teams’ fanbases, the Chicago Sky specifically, who spew the same thing against Clark.
The WNBA has condemned these kinds of fans in attendance, but it’s a different monster at home. Maybe some of the players can ignore trolls and be like Caitlin Clark, who barely acknowledges the hate that comes her way.
Maybe they could take a page out of LeBron James’ book by not recognizing the people who are trying to tarnish his legacy online. Trolls are likely to go away if they are not fed but will continue to spew hateful things when they get the response they want.
Rachel DeMita even suggested that players should ignore social media comments or at least limit their time on there. It’s a completely different platform than conventional media or fans inside the arena.
It’s a toxic environment that’s really tough to control, and the WNBA should focus on promoting not just Caitlin Clark but the entire league as a whole.
Is Caitlin Clark playing abroad in the offseason?
Is Caitlin Clark playing abroad in the offseason? (Photo: IMAGN)
At her postgame press conference on Wednesday, Caitlin Clark was asked if the rumors are true about her not playing overseas or in the Unrivaled League.
Clark admitted that she doesn’t have her plans sorted out but mentioned playing golf most of the offseason.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow, I don’t know what I’m going to the next day. Maybe play some golf. I think that’s what I’m gonna do until it becomes too cold in Indiana. I’ll become a professional golfer,” Clark said.
Most WNBA players like to be active in the offseason, and most of them play overseas in Europe, Asia or Australia. The Unrivaled League launched by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier is set to start in January.
