All hell broke loose in that Indiana Fever-Connecticut Sun game. The tension just kept rising as the game went on, as Caitlin Clark kept clashing with Sun players, and it resulted in Clark being pushed to the ground by Marina Mabrey. First, Jacy Sheldon scratched her face, prompting Clark to complain, and then Mabrey leaped into her defense. It just brought those old conversations to the fore. Was Caitlin Clark being targeted or mistreated by the rest of the league? 

The debates among the Fever fandom got even more intense when Clark’s ‘enforcer’ Sophie Cunningham recently said, “I know the talks Phoenix had in their locker room of, like, ‘We’re going to show her what the W really is.'” She further mentioned that “there’s just more for her.” These allegations gained credibility, and the fans and analysts constantly criticized the league for not doing anything. However, the league, which hasn’t launched any investigation, thinks it’s not limited to one player. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned, “Everyone thinks it’s just Caitlin, but everybody’s getting bumped.” An ESPN analyst says the pressure just shot into the stratosphere. According to Stephen A Smith, President Donald Trump himself is now speculated to intervene, putting the full weight of the Oval Office behind demands for the WNBA to act on the Caitlin Clark controversy.

Stephen A Smith said on ESPN’s ‘First Take’, “All of these things are things that has the eye of the administration as you know. Molly, it ain’t just sports that I’m doing. I’m doing a lot more than sports. I am not guessing on this. I didn’t go on my show and just bring it up for no reason. I happen to know a few people who have said this is something that they do not be surprised that President Trump speaks on eventually.” 

Smith initially referenced this possibility on his YouTube channel while referencing a Wall Street Journal article titled ‘The WNBA and Caitlin Clark’s Civil Rights’. It was an Opinion Commentary from Sean McClean, which explores political and racial undercurrents in Clark’s treatment by the league.  

The article mentions legal precedents that give the White House the right to intervene. Mclean writes, “Professional sports are multibillion-dollar industries subject to the same civil rights, antitrust, and labor laws as any other. When basic rights, safety, and public confidence are threatened, Washington intervenes. The government has forced changes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, USA Gymnastics, and other leagues over player safety protocols.”

And the writer has some credentials to write this, having served in the Trump White House along with the offices of two other senators. So while Clark herself hasn’t explicitly made any allegations, according to Sean and Smith, there is a possibility they could take some action regardless. Smith further explained that Trump taking some action on behalf of Clark makes sense for his political benefit. 

He continued saying, “And if that man decides that this is something that can feed his base, that can ingratiate himself with that kind of audience that is protective of a Caitlin Clark and what she stands for, what she represents. And they come to a conclusion that they believe she is being unfairly treated.”

It’s not like Trump hasn’t addressed Clark and her impact. Last year, he explicitly discussed her prominence and the pay controversy on the Let’s Go! Podcast. He said, “You know, it’s a very unusual — she’s (Clark) incredible, by the way. I watch, too. I think she’s incredible. I watched the shot go in. It’s like, couldn’t she shoot that way in the NBA? If you want another, just give her the ball.” The current President also called the WNBA pay gap “unfair,” but they’ve got to rely on the market. Even with the restrictions, he said Clark would probably “make a lot of money” either way.

When asked if he could intervene in the salary situation, he said, “You know, you can’t go in and just say, ‘Well, we’re going to break this contract because this person did well.” The league could probably go up and give her a bonus.” While he denied personally addressing the WNBA pay situation, he has a case to do so here, according to Smith and Mclean. 

Stephen A. Smith Unsure of What Will Happen if President Steps In

Caitlin Clark has practically divided the WNBA fan base. Her rivalry with Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers means people have already chosen sides. It has brought in the viewership as Calrk’s season opener against Reese averaged 2.7 million viewers, marking the biggest TV turnout for a WNBA game in a quarter-century. Clark has brought in money, viewers, and increased interest. Many believe that continuing this ‘unfair treatment’ of Clark will ultimately lead to the killing of the golden goose. Smith’s reporting could suggest to some that the league will bend to the President, making the case open and shut. 

However, Smith has explicitly mentioned that he is not sure what the result will be, saying on The Stephen A. Smith Show, “Before you go any further, I’m not here saying that the case could be won by the government if it got to that point or anything like that. I’m saying they have a case. They argue.”

Legal issues will be another problem to add to their long list of hurdles, including CBA problems, referee issues, and might even affect the upcoming expansion. This is a problem they don’t want or need, but if these analysts are to be believed, they have another big train coming their way, and it will shake up the league along with women’s sports like never before.