In a recent statement, Sheila Johnson, the African-American billionaire and owner of the Washington Mystics (WNBA), Wizards (NBA) and Capitals (NHL), criticized Caitlyn Clark’s selection as Athlete of the Year by Time Magazine, calling the decision racist.
Sheila Johnson argued that the entire WNBA, with its long legacy of black players, should have been honored instead of just Clark. She stressed that there are many other talents who deserve attention, especially Angel Reese and other players who have been overlooked.
Johnson also expressed frustration with the discrimination against black players on social media, warning that this racism will divide the league. She said singling out a single player will create animosity, which could negatively affect the unity of the league.
However, many have criticized Sheila Johnson’s opinion, saying that she is ignoring the huge impact and contribution of Caitlyn Clark to the WNBA. Clark was one of the league’s most prominent players, breaking numerous records and bringing unprecedented attention to the WNBA, helping the league attract a national audience. Clark’s long three-point shots and great assists became the most notable plays in the league, making her a must-see player.
A major factor in Caitlyn Clark being named Athlete of the Year is that she helped raise awareness of the WNBA and make the league a “big deal” among sports fans. Before Clark’s emergence, the WNBA was relatively unknown and under-represented. But Clark’s prominence has brought attention to women’s basketball, not just from white audiences but also from fans of other ethnicities.
In addition, Sheila Johnson’s Washington Mystics have also benefited from Caitlyn Clark’s presence. During their two visits to Washington, the Mystics moved their games from their small stadium to the Wizards’ stadium, which has a larger capacity, because of the surge in attendance. The Mystics’ games against Clark drew more than 20,000 spectators, the largest attendance of the WNBA season. However, Sheila Johnson does not credit Clark for raising fan interest and participation in the league.
Some argue that Angel Reese, despite her strong media and social media presence, has not been as impressive as Clark’s. Reese leads in rebounding, but her shooting percentage is very low (only 39%), which makes her not as attractive a star as Clark. Clark, with her ability to score from long range three-pointers, has become the most popular player in the league.
However, Sheila Johnson and some others do not seem to support Caitlyn Clark, a white player, becoming the face of the league, despite her outstanding achievements. It is a deeper issue of racism in the league, as some people believe that the WNBA belongs to black stars and that the face of the league cannot be a white player. In their view, this reflects a clear racism and could create a divide in the women’s basketball fan community.
Given Caitlyn Clark’s significant contributions to the WNBA, many believe she is a worthy Time Athlete of the Year. However, Sheila Johnson and others argue that the league should only be dominated by black stars, which reflects a racist view and can be a divisive factor in the sports community.
