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Pat McAfee slammed for calling Caitlin Clark a ‘white bitch’ during rant about WNBA

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Fans are calling for Pat McAfee to be suspended after he referred to Caitlin Clark as a “white bitch” during a rant.

The former football player kicked off Monday’s episode of the “The Pat McAfee Show” by talking about the current state of the WNBA following Chennedy Carter’s controversial hip check against Clark in their game over the weekend.

McAfee, who was at the game, explained that Clark is largely responsible for the league’s massive increase in popularity — despite some claiming the entire rookie class, including Cameron Brink and Angel Reese, has played a role in the bolstered ratings.

Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee came under fire Monday for referring to Caitlin Clark as a “white bitch.” Mark Terrill/Invision/AP
Pat McAfee
During “The Pat McAfee Show,” the sports commentator ranted about the current WNBA rookies and their impact on the league. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The 37-year-old sports analyst pointed out that Clark’s games have the highest viewership and attendance numbers, while her jersey sales are currently No. 1 in the league.

He also tried to refute claims that she is only popular because she is white, arguing that there are many other Caucasian stars in the WNBA, like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum, who haven’t had the same impact.

However, his apparent support of Clark, 22, didn’t land due to his derogatory word choice.

“What the WNBA currently has is what we like to describe as a cash cow, there is a superstar,” McAfee said.

Caitlin Clark
He argued that Clark has been the driving force behind the league’s recent success. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Pat McAfee
The rant came after McAfee went to an Indiana Fever game over the weekend. Getty Images

“I would like the media people that continue to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class, this rookie class’. Nah, just call it for what it is — there’s one white bitch for the Indiana team who is a superstar,” he said while pointing to a photo of Clark.

The remarks didn’t sit right with many fans, who slammed the former punter for not only disrespecting Clark but also the other WNBA players with his impassioned presentation.

“Pat McAfee wants everyone to give Clark this unprecedented respect for what she’s doing for women’s basketball and he can’t even respect her enough to not call her a bitch on live tv,” one X user wrote.

Caitlin Clark
He gave a presentation to prove his point. Getty Images
Caitlin Clark
However, his word choice caught viewers by surprise. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

“Calling a woman athlete a b**** while simultaneously tearing down the real and substantial efforts the entire rookie class has done is why Pat McAfee should not be commentating on any women’s sports,” a second person chimed in.

“This is just completely unacceptable. Interested to see how ESPN handles it,” sportscaster Kim Adams added. “And his entire argument is not conducive to anything going on in the #WNBA right now. Just let the women hoop.”

“Thinking about all the talented journalists @ESPN has laid off in the past few years so they could pay Pat McAfee $17 million to call Caitlin Clark, one of the biggest female Sports stars, a bitch,” a fourth person added. “It’s not funny. It’s not cute. What is wrong with the people at @espn + @Disney?”

Caitlin Clark
“Just call it for what it is — there’s one white bitch for the Indiana team who is a superstar,” he said of Clark. Getty Images
Pat McAfee
Social media users were quick to slam the former athlete for his “unacceptable” comments. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN and McAfee did not immediately respond Page Six’s requests for comment.

However, following the backlash, the sports commentator admitted he “shouldn’t have used ‘white bitch’ as a descriptor” of Clark.

“No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe,” he wrote on X.

“My intentions when saying it were complimentary just like the entire segment but, a lot of folks are saying that it certainly wasn’t at all. That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize… I have sent an apology to Caitlin as well.”

Meanwhile, Clark has not responded to McAfee’s commentary.

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