Nunnie on the Sideline

By “Nunnie” Robinson, The Westside Gazette Newspaper Sports Editor

The WNBA’s popularity has never been greater, due in no small part, to the 2024 rookie class headed by Indiana Fever #1 draft pick Caitlin Clark, who happens to be Caucasian. Now you may be asking rhetorically what does race have to do with anything. In America it’s always about race no matter how you slice it. Caitlin’s entrance in the league has increased salaries, attendance and television revenues while raising the WNBA’s national profile. Many veteran players have defended her with tremendous ferocity, pressing her throughout whether she has ball or not and committing vicious fouls with impunity. Is it because they want her to pay her dues like those who came before her, is it jealousy or is it because she’s White? The most recent incident involved Chicago Sky guard Chenndra Carter who, in reacting to a Clark elbow, retaliated by knocking her to the floor in what can only be described as a flagrant, dirty foul, especially since it occurred away from the actual play on floor. After officials reviewed the play, it was indeed ruled a flagrant one. Too late in my opinion. With an official perfectly positioned to see the egregious foul, it should have been called on floor accompanied by appropriate punishment. It’s a similar feeling I had when Major League Baseball announced a merger of Negro League statistics from 1920-48 with today’s stats to correct an injustice in light of the George Floyd tragedy – commendable on MLB’s part but only posthumously symbolic. Too little too late. Caitlin should not be singled out or subjected to brutality because of her race, rookie status or league impact. The key is how officials choose or are told to call games. Call the games fairly and by the rules league-wide, regardless of player/players involved. If it’s flagrant, call it! The foul by Ms. Carter on Caitlin can’t be permitted or sanctioned. And I’d like to see the Fever players, particularly Aliyah Boston, confront the perpetrator – not physically but certainly by getting in the player’s space – instead of pulling Caitlin away as if she were the aggressor, to demonstrate to Caitlin that you have her back! Besides, the WNBA has and will continue to benefit from a diverse array of stars whether white, Black, Hispanic or foreign. The fact that I’ve spent this entire column on the Women’s National Basketball Association speaks volumes about the impact Caitlin Clark has had on the league nationally and its meteoric rise in popularity. The truth is: the entire league, especially players, will benefit financially from what Caitlin has brought to the table. It’s just good common sense to protect your assets.