Dave Portnoy recently criticized Caitlin Clarke, and he isn’t the only one.
USA Today sports columnist Nancy Armor brought up Emmett Till in her piece about Clarke’s controversial play and foul call.
Armor used the tragic story of Till, a 14-year-old Black boy who was kidnapped and murdered during a visit to Mississippi in 1955, to highlight the potential risks posed by Clarke’s actions to her WNBA peers.
One line in her article, which has since been revised, sparked significant backlash.
“We shouldn’t have to be reminded that this country has a dreadful history of Black people being harmed and even killed in the name of ‘protecting’ white women,” Armor wrote. She referenced that the current WNBA All-Star Game was taking place in Chicago, Till’s hometown, where a local art gallery was showcasing an exhibit imagining his life had he survived being lynched.
“While the WNBA must take extra steps to protect its players, Clarke should also understand the wider implications of her actions,” she added.
Portnoy, who founded Barstool Sports and supports Clarke, didn’t hold back in his criticism of Armor’s remarks.
“Congrats to Nancy Armor of USA Today! She wrote the most ridiculous thing, not just in my life, but in sports history. This is about Caitlin Clarke’s claims regarding officiating dangers for WNBA players and civil rights. Nancy needs to be put away. We can’t have minds like this roaming freely,” Portnoy posted on X.
Armor later issued a statement apologizing for the Till comparison but maintained her belief that the abuse and intimidation faced by WNBA players should be taken seriously.
“In my recent column, I irreverently compared it to Emmett Till’s murder. I aimed to connect the issues facing the WNBA to the All-Star Game in Till’s hometown of Chicago,” Armor explained.
“Clearly, I didn’t provide enough context, but the main point remains: there’s a history of white women’s perceived threat being weaponized against African Americans, highlighting the risks for Black players in the league.”
“Players are facing online abuse and death threats. This needs to be addressed more seriously. I genuinely regret that my lack of context overshadowed that crucial discussion and the actions the WNBA should take for the benefit of all its players.”
Front Office Sports reached out to USA Today for comments on Armor’s piece and whether the publication supports her statements.
“Nancy is a sports columnist, and her column is clearly labeled as opinion,” stated Lark-Marie Anton, USA Today’s chief communications and brand officer. “Please note that the column has been updated for clarity and Nancy has addressed this issue. We will have no further comment.”
Portnoy reiterated his accusations against Armor in another post after she made her account private.
“Nothing exemplifies cowardice more than saying something outrageous and then pretending it didn’t happen while hiding away. Fire her. Fire the editor who approved this. Fire USA Today for crimes against humanity,” he said.
Armor has faced extensive criticism beyond the Till reference. Although she associates Clarke’s fan base with white supremacists, she asserts she harbors no ill feelings toward Clarke.
The uproar over Armor’s divisive article coincided with NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s comments about Clarke being turned into a “political football.”
Silver mentioned the controversy involving Clarke and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who was suspended for punching an Indiana Fever player in the throat.
“Ultimately, the situation around Clarke isn’t strictly about officiating, nor is it about whether a foul should have been called at that moment, or if it was flagrant,” Silver said. “She’s become somewhat of a political pawn in this country, which is terribly unfair to her. This issue isn’t really about officiating. It has morphed into a political ping-pong for her. She’s a young woman striving to improve her game.”
Thomas shared threats she received on social media, one leading to a Hilton employee’s dismissal.
Overall, Armor acknowledged the serious foul but contended that Clarke’s behavior endangers other players in the league. Clarke’s rapid rise in the sports world has been clouded by controversy since she joined the WNBA, marking yet another instance for the 24-year-old.
