“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin said on Wednesday’s ABC talk show that “white privilege” and “beauty privilege” play a role in “Indiana Fever” star Caitlin Clark’s popularity. insisted.
“I think there’s something called a lot of privilege. There’s something called white privilege. There’s something called tall privilege, and we have to acknowledge it, and part of it is about race, because when you think about the Britney Grieners of the world, why did she have to play in Russia? Because they wouldn’t pay her,” Hostin said, referring to the WNBA.
The co-hosts of “The View” were discussing former ESPN host Jemele Hill’s claims that much of Clark’s popularity is due to his race and sexuality.
Hostin said at the start of the discussion that she has no problem with Clark bringing some much-needed attention to the WNBA.
“Now that Caitlin Clark is bringing this money and sponsorship to the league, I hope other players benefit from it. “I think it’s something that a lot of people can relate to, but unfortunately there’s still a lot of prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community,” Hostin said.
“The WNBA is 70 percent black. A third of the players are from the LGBTQ+ community and we have to do something about that stigma in this country. I think people have a problem with lesbian women playing basketball. Who cares? They’re great athletes.”
Co-host Alyssa Farrah Griffin said Clark became a WNBA fan “because it’s so much fun to watch,” adding that it has nothing to do with skin color.
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg claimed that Hostin and herself have been trying to bring attention to the WNBA for years.
“These women are often equal to, if not better than, the women you see,” Goldberg said.
“Sometimes it’s better than the guys!” Hostin added.
Clark rose to national prominence while playing at the University of Iowa, especially over the past two seasons.
The leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history, she led the University of Iowa to back-to-back national championship appearances this year and was drafted No. 1 overall by Fever College.
Goldberg disputed Hill’s comments, saying Clark is getting attention because she is a good athlete.
“It really bothers me that she got reduced like that because this is her record,” Goldberg said, pointing to her note card. “Unless you can show me an athlete who has a better record than this, this is why she’s getting attention. Because she’s such a good athlete, and it doesn’t matter if she’s straight or gay. Nobody’s going to cry when she’s making records. Ball.”
In comments to the Los Angeles Times, Hill also criticized brands like Nike for not sponsoring more diverse athletes. Mr. Clark signed a $28 million deal with the brand after graduating from the University of Iowa, and this week, Mr. Wilson also signed a historic deal with the brand.
“Black women are often erased from the limelight,” Hill said. “There’s plenty of room to highlight and celebrate the popularity of Kaitlyn Clark, but there’s also room to discuss ways to ensure we don’t erase Black women from the league that they built and continue to build.”
