In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Stephen A. Smith, cohost of ESPN’s First Take, discussed the success and popularity of Caitlin Clark, a 22-year-old basketball player. Despite claims that Clark’s race has played a role in her popularity, Smith believes that the media has done a great job covering her impact on women’s basketball. He praised Clark for her activism and outspokenness about inequalities facing the WNBA, noting her role in achieving charter flights for the players in just two days.
Smith pushed back at the notion that Clark’s popularity is intrinsically tied to her race, stating that while race is a component that can’t be ignored, it doesn’t always have to be negative. He emphasized that the attention Clark receives is a reflection of society and its values. Smith acknowledged that Clark is a talented and marketable player with a strong family background, which has contributed to her success in the media spotlight.
The View’s Sunny Hostin and former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill have both expressed concerns about Clark’s popularity being tied to her white privilege. However, Smith argued that the media covers stories based on their newsworthiness, and Clark has successfully turned herself into a story with her skills and activism. He commended Clark for using her platform to advocate for the WNBA players and bring attention to their needs, such as charter flights.
In the new docuseries Up for Debate, which explores the world of sports debate, Smith reflects on his own fiery commentary and the public perception of him. While he may come across as controversial on screen, Smith emphasized that he is actually a nice guy with many friends and loved ones. He remains true to himself in the media industry and doesn’t try to pretend to be someone he’s not. Up for Debate is now available to stream on ESPN+ for viewers to explore the past, present, and future of sports debate.
