Caitlin Clark admits she feels “privileged” as a white woman and says the WNBA is “built on” black players

After often remaining silent about her name being used in cultural clashes, Caitlin Clark has spoken out.

The WNBA phenom was named Time’s Female Athlete of the Year after putting women’s basketball and women’s sports on the map.

After she joined the league, there were several comments about her being white.

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Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark speaks to the media during an introductory press conference April 17, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson said that Clark’s whiteness is a “huge thing” when it comes to Clark’s popularity. Angel Reese even said there was “a lot of racism” from Iowa and Indiana Fever fans. Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington, who poked Clark in the eye during a Connecticut playoff win against the Fever, previously criticized Clark for not taking more action against racism.

In her discussion with Time, Clark seemed to agree with Wilson to some extent.

“I want to say I deserve everything, but as a white person there is privilege,” Clark told Time. “A lot of the players in the league who were really good were black players. This league is kind of built on them.”

“The more we value that, highlight it, talk about it and then continue to have brands and companies invest in the players that have made this league incredible, I think that’s very important. I have to keep trying to change that.” We can promote black women even more, that will be a beautiful thing.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark reacts during a WNBA first-round playoff game against the Connecticut Sun on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

WNBA STAR CAITLIN CLARK AWARDED ATHLETE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AFTER HISTORIC SEASON: “JUST SCRATCHES THE SURFACE”

In June, Clark said she doesn’t mind people using her name to push narratives.

“It’s not something I can control. I don’t spend too much time thinking about things like that. To be honest, I don’t see much of it,” Clark said at the time.

“Like I said, basketball is my job. Everything outside, I can’t control that. So I won’t waste time thinking about it. People can talk about what they want to talk about and have conversations.” Whatever it is, but I think I’m just here to have fun. I’m here to help my team win. I was able to win a few more. My focus is to help us do that, to be honest.

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark celebrates during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/NBAE via Getty Images)

Clark said in September that racist fans were “trolls.”

“No one in our league should be subjected to racism, disrespectful or hurtful comments and threats,” she said at the time.

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Clark was named the league’s Rookie of the Year and helped the league achieve historic attendance and viewership.

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