ESPN host Pat McAfee apologized Monday for calling WNBA star Kaitlyn Clark a “white bitch” during a conversation about whether race played a role in how he treated her.
“I should never have described Caitlin Clark as a ‘white bitch’. Out of context…even though we were talking about race being a factor in some of the incidents…I have too much respect for her and women to say something like that out there.” McAfee wrote in X’s post: Monday.
“When I said it, I meant it as a compliment, like that whole segment, but a lot of people have said that was never the case,” he added. “That is 100% my fault. I apologize for that, and I’ve sent an email to Caitlyn to apologize.”
His comments came hours after McAfee spoke about Clark on his show, which airs on ESPN and YouTube, and credited her for the WNBA’s surge in popularity this year.
“What we’re saying is, what the WNBA has right now is what we call a cash cow. They have superstars,” McAfee said Monday morning. “I want the media people to keep saying, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class.’ No, just tell it like it is: Indiana has one white girl who is a superstar.”
McAfee then criticized the referees for failing to protect Clark, this year’s No. 1 draft pick, from on-court mistreatment.
“Is it possible that people would enjoy watching her play basketball just because of how inspiring a player she is, what she’s accomplished, what she stands for, how she conducts herself, what she aspires to be?” McAfee said.
“Maybe, but instead we have to listen to people say we like her because she’s white and she’s popular because other rookies are doing it. Well, that’s bullshit and I think the WNBA, and more specifically the referees, need to stop trying to trash her at every opportunity. We have someone special here and we’re lucky to have her in Indiana,” he added.
The comment immediately drew backlash from some internet users, including ESPN’s WNBA reporter Alexa Filippou. The person who wrote about X, “Men are not OK,” he said shortly after the show aired.
“He called Caitlin Clark a ‘white bitch from Indiana.’ That’s way too comfortable. That’s just not acceptable,” said former ESPN host Jemele Hill. I wrote to X.
The Hill has reached out to ESPN for comment.
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