Charles Barkley has said that some WNBA players dislike Indiana Fever players Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, and he argued that race is not the only explanation. Speaking on “The Michael Smerconish Program,” he said, “Those girls do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham,” before adding, “Without regard for race, they just don’t like them.”
The remarks came during a discussion with host Michael Smerconish about what the two described as the WNBA’s “awful year.” One of the incidents they discussed was a Flagrant 2 foul by DiJonai Carrington on Cunningham during the Fever’s game against the Chicago Sky on August 8.
Carrington’s foul and the social media post that followed
Cunningham was attempting a fast-break layup when Carrington made contact with her head, and her mouth was covered in blood afterward. After reviewing the play, the referees upgraded the call from a Flagrant 1 to a Flagrant 2 and ejected Carrington.
Shortly after her ejection, Carrington posted on social media under the title “WHITE PRIVILEGE,” referencing the Fever. She later said she never claimed white privilege caused the Flagrant 2, but she did not explain the post.
Cunningham called the foul “unnecessary” and said she had “no beef” with Carrington. She later described the play as deliberate and accused Carrington of trying to get attention.
Smerconish and Barkley debate race and the media
Smerconish said he had looked into whether harsh fouls between Black and White WNBA players happen more often than they should. He said he had found a peer-reviewed study indicating they occur at the expected rate, and he argued that the media turns such incidents into racial problems.
Barkley disagreed. “No, no, you’re wrong, though,” he said, adding that the matter became racial “when that girl tweeted ‘white privilege.’ That was stupid on her part.” He described the play as “a dirty play. Period.”
He also said that once issues reach the internet, “all the race hustlers start coming out.” He added, “We have a ton of race hustlers out there, White and Black. Let me repeat that. White and Black.”
Smerconish then raised Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, whose rivalry had clear racial overtones but helped lift the NBA to national prominence. Barkley acknowledged those undertones, but said the difference was that the two respected one another. “There was always respect,” he stated, repeating the line for emphasis.
Barkley did not accuse Carrington or any other WNBA player of racism. “I’m not gonna get on here and call somebody a racist because I don’t have any proof,” he said. “Whether it’s race, sexuality, or whatever, there’s something going on there.”
Barkley points to sexuality, race and jealousy
Barkley said Clark and Cunningham are simply good players, and he believes several factors explain the resentment they face. “I think it has something to do with sexuality, race, and jealousy. I think it’s all three of them. I don’t know how you break up the percentages.”
Barkley said he is bothered by the league’s negative publicity because he believes the WNBA has a lot going for it. He pointed to young talent that should be leading the conversation, a growing league, and players earning more money under a new CBA. Instead, he claimed, the league is constantly caught up in debates, social media posts and hard fouls that have nothing to do with basketball.
Smerconish suggested the WNBA might profit from the attention, citing the adage that bad publicity doesn’t exist. Barkley disagreed. “I don’t think it works like that anymore, Michael,” he said. “When’s the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can’t even remember.”
