Former Basketball Player Sue Bird Calls Out Racism In The WNBA, Says Caitlin Clark Is ‘Being Used As A Pawn’

Sue Bird is speaking out against racism in the WNBA, saying that star player Caitlin Clark is being unfairly used to overshadow deeper issues within the league.

On her podcast A Touch More with Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird shared,

“Racism has been impacting the WNBA well before this year. In that way, I think Caitlin is being used as a pawn. Caitlin didn’t bring racism to the WNBA. This has been happening… We’ve been trying to tell you.”

Sue Bird went on to express her frustration over how the focus has shifted toward Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and her treatment by Black players, rather than the sport itself.

She emphasized that Caitlin Clark has never been unfairly targeted by players out of jealousy or spite, an issue that came to a head when USA Today journalist Christine Brennan questioned Connecticut Sun player Dijonai Carrington‘s intentions, accusing her of deliberately injuring Caitlin Clark during a game.

Dijonai Carrington swiftly responded, saying,

“I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye. That doesn’t even make sense to me.”

The WNBA Players’ Association backed Dijonai Carrington, with executive director Terri Jackson accusing Christine Brennan of pushing a false narrative to stir up “racist, homophobic and misogynistic vitriol on social media.”

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