Dave Portnoy insists that his support for Caitlyn Clark isn’t just because he’s white. In a recent podcast episode, Ryan Clark, an ESPN analyst, placed Portnoy among others on Angel Reese’s “Train of Hate” after a disagreement over the weekend.
Clark pointed out that Portnoy, Keith Olbermann, and Robert Griffin III have painted Reese as the villain, effectively making Clark the hero.
Portnoy, in a six-minute video response, expressed disbelief at still discussing the topic. He acknowledged the existence of bias—mentioning that some black fans might dislike Clark merely due to her whiteness and vice versa—but he personally doesn’t feel that way. He perceived Reese’s animosity as a certainty and explained, “Caitlin fans, they should dislike Angel. Reese has acted like an instigator over the years.” He added that Reese developed her persona as Clark’s rival, generating consistent dislike from Clark’s supporters.
“I’m done making this about race,” Portnoy stated. “There are two excellent players, but one has been provoking the other.” He further asserted that if Clark had never encountered Reese, she’d still be just as popular.
The spat intensified when Clark committed a hard foul on Reese, which was later labeled a “good take foul” by Clark, who didn’t want Reese to score easily. Despite their long history dating back to the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship, both players have tried to downplay their rivalry, attributing any drama to media coverage.
Portnoy, who attended the game, voiced his frustration with Clark and agreed with Reese’s sentiment that she deserved to be booed. He also criticized the WNBA’s inquiry into alleged hateful comments aimed at Reese. Portnoy remarked that he witnessed a friendly crowd at the game, questioning how any racist behavior could have occurred without evidence.
With rising tensions, Clark mentioned to ESPN’s Holly Rowe that there was “no malicious intent” behind her foul on Reese. The situation remains a flashpoint for fans and analysts alike, with mixed reactions from various figures in the basketball world.
