The controversy began when Sunny Hostin, a co-host on ‘The View,’ discussed Clark’s impact on the WNBA, highlighting her significant contributions in terms of viewership and sponsorships. Hostin acknowledged Clark’s talent and the positive attention she brings to the league but then delved into more contentious territory. She suggested that Clark’s race (white) and attractiveness played roles in her widespread appeal, making her more relatable to a broader audience. This, according to Hostin, inadvertently perpetuates existing stigmas against Black and LGBTQ+ players in the league.

“Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, these sponsorships, we hope, into the league, and other players will benefit from it. But I do think that she is more relatable to more people because she’s white, because she’s attractive. Unfortunately, there still is that stigma against the LGBTQ+ community. Seventy percent of the WNBA is Black, a third of the players are in the LGBTQ+ community, and we have to do something about that stigma in this country.”