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Clark, in an interview with TIME, attributed her success to her "white privilege" rather than her talent and hard work. She further stated that the WNBA was "built on the backs" of black women, a claim that has been met with criticism.
Clark, named "Athlete of the Year" by TIME, stated, “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 league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them."
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This statement has led to a backlash, with critics arguing that the WNBA, which has never turned a profit and relies on the NBA for support, was not "built" before Clark's arrival. Sheila Johnson, owner of the Washington Mystics, argued that TIME's decision to award Clark promotes "racism" within the league.
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Johnson suggested that the entire WNBA should have been recognized, stating, "Why couldn’t they have put the WNBA on that cover and say, ‘The WNBA is the league of the year,’ because of all the talent that we have. When you single out one player, it creates hard feelings, so now you’re starting to hear stories of racism within the WNBA, and I don’t want to hear that."
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Johnson further claimed that the attention Clark has received and the term "the Caitlin Clark effect," associated with the attention she has brought to the league, is due to race. "It’s the way media plays out race," Johnson said. "I feel really bad, because I’ve seen so many players of color that are equally as talented, and they never got the recognition they should have."
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Johnson also disputed the notion that Clark was primarily responsible for the WNBA's increase in viewership and popularity in 2024, citing Angel Reese as another key contributor. "We have so much talent out there that has been unrecognized. I don't think we can just pin it on one player," she said.
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However, the numbers tell a different story. During the 2024 season, the Mystics played 20 home games, two of which featured Clark as a member of the Indiana Fever. These two games significantly contributed to the Mystics' attendance, indicating Clark's influence on the league.
Despite this, the WNBA lost $40 million in 2024, even with record ratings and attendance. Critics argue that Johnson should focus more on this financial loss rather than undermining Clark's contribution to the league.
Johnson's comments have been criticized as being unfactual and biased. Clark's recognition as "Athlete of the Year" was based on her performance, not the entire WNBA. The controversy surrounding Clark's "white privilege" statement and the subsequent criticism she has received underscores the complexities of race and privilege in sports.
