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Sue Bird Says Racism Existed in WNBA Long Before Caitlin Clark's Arrival

Ryan Phillips

Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024. / Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
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Sue Bird is standing up for Caitlin Clark.

On her podcast with Megan Rapinoe this week, Bird was blunt in her assessment of the racism currently impacting the WNBA. The 13-time WNBA All-Star stated racism has always been part of the WNBA landscape and that Clark's arrival has nothing to do with it. Instead, the issue is now being noticed because of the increased attention the league has received.

"Racism has been impacting the WNBA well before this year," Bird said. "This is not a new thing. In that way, I do think Caitlin's being used as a pawn. Caitlin didn't bring racism to the WNBA. This has been happening and that, I think, is what has been such a shock for all of us, that other people are surprised by this. We've been trying to tell you."

Clark, and her fellow rookie classmates, have helped raise the WNBA's profile and ratings. The new wave of young stars have brought a lot of good to the league. But along with the good, there will always be bad. According to Bird, the bad has always existed, there is just more attention on it now.

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Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.

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