The recent game between Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky has sparked a lot of buzz, not just among WNBA fans, but throughout the world of sports. With a 71-70 triumph over Sky, the Fevers achieved their first home victory. And with two more games lined up between the two teams, on the 15th and 23rd of June, there will certainly be more eyes etched on the games. Why? Because of Chennedy Carter’s controversial move at the recent game, where she abruptly pushed Fever’s guard Caitlin Clark to the ground while calling her “b*tch.” It caused widespread uproar as it happened when the ball was not even live.

This unnecessary move by Carter has sparked a lot of debate on how badly Caitlin Clark is being treated not just by the other players in the WNBA, but also by her teammates. With no teammates standing up for her after the aggressive act, the issue has swiftly gained attention as a major sporting story. Amidst all this, former NFL player Dez Bryant asserted on X that Caitlin Clark should “embrace all of the noise” that comes with her fame and mentioned that despite all the issues from her teammates and other players, she has to continue to thrive since it is a dog-eat-dog world. Bryant concluded his post by noting that Caitlin Clark is “in the perfect position for greatness.” 

However, many fans saw Chennedy Carter’s actions as a cheap shot and questioned the league’s lack of a stronger response. In response to Bryant’s remarks, female undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner, who is also a friend of Bryant, gave her two cents on the controversy. She explained on X that Caitlin Clark has embraced “the noise” and her response to the situation and her victories are proof of that. She also stated, “Her other female counterparts have to do better ! And do better I mean look at the bigger picture of how the sport is being progressed more than ever! (As a collective).” 

Baumgardner conveyed similar thoughts that many NBA veterans have been alluding to for the past month or so. According to many, there seems to be a lack of solidarity especially when it comes to standing up for fellow teammates, as evidenced by recent situations involving Clark.

Usually, when something like this happens during an NBA match, the teammates quickly rush to the situation to take up a fight for their teammate or at least intervene. Mexican female boxer Sulem Urbina took to X to state something similar. She wrote on X, “Can you imagine if they did that to Lebron.” This was also glaringly evident when Clark’s NCAA foe Angel Reese did the same to her in the match. None of Clark’s teammates stood up for her.

NBA greats Draymond Green and LeBron James have come out in support of Clark since. YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul also took Caitlin Clark’s side pointing out the ill-treatment she is receiving. He wrote, “Hating on Caitlin Clark is hating on opportunity for an entire sport.” A talented player who is doing so much for the sport should be celebrated, but she has seen more hatred than praise within the league since her draft. However, those weren’t the only boxers who pointed out the mistreatment.

Caleb Plant reacts to Chennedy Carter’s response to her Caitlin Clark push

During the press conference after the match, Chennady Carter was asked about her controversial actions against Caitlin Clark. Frustrated with the same questions, she responded nonchalantly, “I ain’t answering no Caitlin Clark questions.” Following this, former IBF super middleweight champion, Caleb Plant decided to wade into the situation. The boxing star countered with a witty reply, referencing the WNBA’s recent decision to charter flights for teams. Plant, under a clip of Carter refusing the questions, wrote, “Gonna f**k around be flying on spirit again mf.”

Caleb Plant took a playful jab at Carter, suggesting WNBA players would still be on budget airlines if it weren’t for Caitlin Clark. His comment highlights the significant shift the WNBA is experiencing due to the Clark effect. Just last month, the 22-year-old superstar faced security issues at the Dallas airport, echoing a similar incident with Brittney Griner in 2023. These incidents, coupled with Clark’s undeniable impact on viewership, likely played a role in the WNBA’s recent decision to invest $50 million over two years to guarantee charter flights for all teams. This move signifies a major step towards improved player experience and professionalism in the league.

The on-court incident between Caitlin Clark and Chennedy Carter has transcended a simple foul call, igniting a global discussion about player safety and the WNBA’s image. However, after reviewing the incident, the league upgraded Carter’s foul to a flagrant-1 violation. Additionally, Sky forward Angel Reese received a $1,000 fine for not speaking with the media after the game, and the Chicago Sky organization was also fined $5,000 for failing to ensure media compliance by their players. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below.