Women's Fastbreak On SI

ESPN Analyst Apologized to Sheryl Swoopes Over Inaccurate Caitlin Clark Remark

Robin Lundberg

D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN's Elle Duncan has issued a public apology to women's basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes. Duncan criticized Swoopes for comments the latter made about Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark on her "Queens of the Court" podcast. The only problem is, one of the remarks Duncan referenced was never said.

Swoopes did indeed say she thought the Indiana Fever could make the playoffs without Clark, which is certainly a questionable opinion. And she also has a history of inaccurate criticisms of Caitlin, including saying CC broke the NCAA scoring record in more years than Kelsey Plum played, which is not correct. However, a bit about her saying Katie Lou Samuelson is more valuable to the Fever than Clark is was widely spread, and referenced by Duncan, and that was never uttered by Sheryl.

Duncan posted an apology to Swoopes saying, "I did the thing you aren’t supposed to do. I reacted to Sheryl Swoopes' comments about Caitlin Clark based on quotes pulled for me by producers in the rundown. I should have LISTENED to the show. The same thing I IMPLORED CC fans to do when they were attacking me a couple months back for 'hating' on her. I HATE that I’ve sent more vitriol her direction and I’m taking this BIG L! I’ve texted Sheryl the same thing. I will do better! I am sorry."

All in all, the reaction all around to what Swoopes had to say about Clark in this instance was much ado about nothing. However, like with all subjects, it is important to be accurate. Sheryl has said things about Caitlin that have opened her up for criticism, but no one should be criticized for something they didn't say.

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Robin Lundberg
ROBIN LUNDBERG

Robin Lundberg is a media veteran and hoops head who has spent the bulk of his career with iconic brands like Sports Illustrated and ESPN. His insights have also been featured on platforms such as Fox and CNN and he can currently be heard hosting shows for Sirius XM and on his burgeoning YouTube show. And now he brings his basketball expertise to Women's Fastbreak on SI!

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