Pat McAfee took to social media on Monday to apologize for referring to Indiana Fever basketball star Caitlin Clark as a “white bitch” throughout a section on his ESPN present.
“I shouldn’t have used ‘white bitch’ as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark,” McAfee wrote on Twitter. “Regardless of the context.. even when we’re speaking about race being a purpose for among the stuff taking place.. I’ve approach an excessive amount of respect for her and girls to place that into the universe. My intentions when saying it have been complimentary similar to the whole section however, loads of of us are saying that it definitely wasn’t in any respect. That’s 100% on me and for that I apologize.”
McAfee famous he had additionally despatched a private apology to Clark, and that the remainder of his speech was “nonetheless alllllll information.”
Earlier on Monday, McAfee appeared on his ESPN present arguing that Clark is the singular purpose behind the WBNA’s surge in recognition and addressing claims that her race is what units her aside.
“What we’re making an attempt to say is, what the WNBA at the moment has is what we like to explain as a money cow. There’s a celebrity,” McAfee stated. “However I would really like the media people who proceed to say, ‘This rookie class, this rookie class.’ Nah, simply name it for what it’s. There may be one white bitch for the Indiana crew who’s a celebrity.”
Clark was the No. 1 WNBA draft choose earlier this 12 months, after rising to stardom whereas taking part in for the Indiana College Hawkeyes.
“Is there an opportunity folks simply take pleasure in watching her play basketball due to how electrifying she is, what she did what she stood for, how she went about going what she went for?” McAfee stated. “Possibly. However as a substitute, we have now to listen to folks say we solely like her as a result of she’s white, and he or she’s solely standard as a result of the remainder of the rookie class is doing what they’re doing. Properly, that’s a bunch of bullshit and we expect the WNBA — extra particularly their refs — must cease making an attempt to screw her over at each single flip. What you’ve is any individual particular, and we’re fortunate she’s right here in Indiana.”
Although his speech was complimentary, the pejorative time period was met with backlash on-line.
“That is simply utterly unacceptable,” ESPN analyst Kim Adams wrote on X, previously Twitter. “ to see how ESPN handles it. And his whole argument isn’t conducive to something occurring within the WNBA proper now. Simply let the ladies hoop.”
ESPN didn’t instantly reply to The Hollywood Reporter‘s request for remark.