Was the Caitlin Clark Olympics Decision Truly Based on Merit?? | The Rich Eisen Show

[@sith_holocron]

Imagine spending your whole career to break down barriers and gatekeeping only to put up barriers and gatekeeping on another woman.

[@NeilTruick]

In other words, tell me your name is Diana Taurasi without telling me your name is Diana Taurasi.

[@TheNifster]

It's all jealousy. This snub just killed exposure worldwide. People didn't watch golf unless Tiger was playing.

[@sidku7006]

Chelsea Gray has a leg injury, has not played a single WNBA game this season and is on the Olympic team. So Chelsea is more of an asset with the leg injury on the Olympic team than Caitlin Clark???

[@breezybreeze12]

Nuts and they want to sell us that it’s logical 😂😂

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

Get over it.

[@artdogg50]

Nobody, and I mean nobody, is calling that out either. It's beyond ridiculous.

[@HoodedAlchemy]

Have you guys no one has broken down the games at all this year except if they saying Caitlin is bad

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

Yes that’s basically what they are saying and it’s true she’s a better player than Clark.. Clark ain’t even the best on her team

[@NeilTruick]

It's "Mean Girls: The WNBA Edition." Pure and simple. Caitlin is the new girl in school who is taking attention away from the divas, and the divas don't like it. The reason this is happening is the same reason why the biggest threat to a happily married woman is her single female friends...

[@BabySpit]

😅😅😅😅

[@keysersoze5920]

Cat fights.

[@wwpjd28]

She's not even taking attention away from them. They had no attention. No one watches WNBA games. Caitlin is building attention for herself and the whole sport. And they just can't handle that because they think they should've been the ones to do it.

[@keysersoze5920]

@@wwpjd28 “…her friends are so jealous, you know how bad girls get…”

[@dannyespinosa3978]

Yes 😊

[@kimnewburn1]

Don’t forget us Aussies as well, the whole world is watching Caitlin Clark

[@stormborn03]

same here in the Philippines edit ,: I dont even watch the W basketball even the mens team of my own country .. been watching Ms. Clark since Iowa .. if she's able to play in the Olympics Im happy to adjust my time to watch her play ,

[@BillField-d5u]

68 year old Asian straight man and new CC fan. No CC no new fan.USA Olympic basketball can not see the big picture

[@sldsnak4]

What a surprise, women would rather tear each other apart than build their sport up.

[@ll4680]

Yup. Bill Burr called this out

[@lindaweilburg6428]

Caitlin is filling up seats, shes selling tickets, black girls are not...........

[@fjn667]

Caitlin Clark is the first female basketball player to become a global superstar. And the WNBA and USA Basketball are completely unprepared for this and have no idea how to handle it.

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

Global🤦🏾‍♂️ for what

[@fjn667]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj because she has millions of fans all over the world

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

@@fjn667 who have watched her get destroyed twice in two national championship games and struggle in the wnba but find a ways to think she’s still snubbed

[@fjn667]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj since nothing of what you are saying is true you must be delusional

[@bryanharrington2736]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj Caitlin Clark a "superstar" based on her ability to put butts in seats and eyes on TV screens, not her play, which at the momen is good, not great. There are "superstars" in all areas of life that aren't the best at their job, they just have charisma and a popular following (think actors, is Arnold Schwarzenegger even a decent actor, probably not, is he a superstar, you bet he is). Your failure to appreciate this difference is where you (and USA Basketball) are missing the point.

[@kee7678]

I'm in Singapore and many are new fans of Clark. Pretty crazy.

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

Don't care.

[@limitedbom2206]

@@I.P.Freely2-yz1jewe get it, you’re a hater.

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

@@limitedbom2206we get it you’re a cult member

[@jaytee6586]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj we get it that you don't get it

[@limitedbom2206]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj I see him throughout the comments saying stuff like this. He’s hating.

[@suehiscock5384]

Canada here. I will not watch without CC

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

Don’t you bums will be blown away regardless.. you have your own team

[@aliciamcdonald7105]

You watching or not is of NO CONSEQUENCE.

[@396375a]

Rich Eisen likes to play it safe, he'll make waves, but only little ones. Why doesn't he bring up the fact Taurasi and Stewart as rookies were chosen to play on the Olympic team? Taurasi says it's because she won 3 championships at UCONN, Stewart won 4, and she also said that the Olympic veterans took her under their wing. My argument to her is that she and Stewart were just spokes in the wheel of another Geno Auriemma championship factory. Caitlin Clark played at IOWA with essentially role players that made it to the final 2 championships in a row, and this last time, her bench scored ZERO POINTS while South Carolina's scored 36, and they still only lost by 12!!!!

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

What were her stats in both championship losses?

[@396375a]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj 30 points each game!! From now on, how about you do your own research!!!

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

@@396375a Lmfao vs South Carolina (10-28) 30 points vs lsu (9-22) 30 points you see where I’m getting here don’t play dmb

[@coreyclark3874]

@@396375a Git em! Taurasi and Stewart played on UCONN teams that were loaded with 5-star recruits, they were supposed to win. You did leave out that CC had two consecutive 40 pt games prior to the championship game against LSU.

[@nickpillow5692]

@@396375aso bring her in because she’s a top 12 player in your opinion? She’d barely get playing time if she was on there.

[@jerrydooley7551]

Not based on merit at all. Two on the team have not even played this year. Another is a washed up 42 year old

[@nr14989]

CC is the most guarded player in the entire world. I havent seen anyone is full court pressed and double guarded from start to finished yet CC deliver 150ts, 5rebounds, and 6 assist deserves all the merit

[@TheMeefive]

If it was based on merit, Caitlin Is not a top 20 player in the league based on her stats and is on pace to set a record 200+ turnovers. (She has 77 so far 24 ahead of the girl behind her.)

[@ernestpolk9555]

@@TheMeefive that's stupid

[@TheMeefive]

​@ernestpolk9555 Have you checked Caitlin's stats? 15.6 ppg (#16) Taurasi is at 17ppg 4.9 rebounds (#26) 1.4 steals (27) 0.9 blocks (15) 5.5 turn overs (1) 6.0 Assists (4) Fg% 36.7 (#49) Efficiency rating (26)

[@TheWasif]

@@ernestpolk9555Meefive is literally giving you facts. If you think it’s stupid, that’s a personal problem. Find another talking point because the stats hurt your case

[@teyobz29]

CC is popular internationally. She is global. 🌏🌏

[@easyb622]

She is not popular internationally

[@markushayes]

@@easyb622Go watch Sky with the two other viewers they have.

[@peterhaslund]

Damn' right from Denmark!

[@franciscogobantes1320]

@@easyb622she kind of is (from Chile)

[@homergallardo9650]

I know no WNBA player before Clark. I am from the Philippines.

[@christopherweise438]

The old guard in the "W" always complaining about being broke and nobody watching......and then when somebody comes along to change that.....she's not the right demographic for THEM. You get people watching the Olympics, and they carry over watching the "W' when they are over, but they don't want her in "their" league. Petty is the nicest term i can use.

[@vinyllpreviews9462]

I want to see the WNBA to go broke now more than ever.

[@christopherweise438]

@@vinyllpreviews9462 - CC should go to Europe where they would love to have her.

[@artdogg50]

Pretty much, just no other way to call it. The league just has a failing approach and mentality. When Larry Bird and Magic Johnson came into the NBA. David Stern road the hell out of that wave proudly and unapologetically. The WNBA gets Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese and does the exact opposite. 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@christopherweise438]

@@vinyllpreviews9462 - She should head to Europe. I bet they would love to have her.

[@vinyllpreviews9462]

@@artdogg50 Clark could do for the WNBA what Tiger Woods did for golf. Nobody watched golf on TV before Tiger Woods.

[@vin3201]

Cailtin is the "gateway drug" to get regular people to watch other teams and players. This is how you grow a league.

No it wasn't based on merit Its bullying Its bigotry Its jealousy Its old Gaurd gate keeping

[@xspartacuspmaximus5247]

All facts.

[@flamingoboot8874]

The bigotry being because she’s white?

[@markushayes]

@@flamingoboot8874gaslighter.

[@flamingoboot8874]

@@markushayes it was a legit question

[@calicojack3628]

@@flamingoboot8874 and straight

[@Rattled76]

Now the millions of people aren’t going to watch.

[@Spookdognetwork]

So the game still get played us black will watch 😂😂😂

[@TJ-ht3jb]

Smart marketing go after less than 15 % of the potential audience. It's clear why the WNBA has been such a smash hit over the last 20 plus years.

[@mc76]

The Olympics existed for 50 years before television and 100 years before the internet. Viewership is not the point of the Games. The USOC understands that.

[@easyb622]

I don’t believe that, but a good of those minions you are talking about who don’t watch it are racist

[@2Sleep]

I didn’t know what WNBA was until now and this girl

[@AHomelessDorito]

Why can Candace Parker be on the team as a rookie but not CC?

[@christopherweise438]

Or Diana Taurasi, or Breeana Stewart.

[@ninacruise]

Please don't mention Candace in the same sentence as Caitlin. Candace was the MVP her rookie year. Caitlin is not even the best rookie. There are LEVELS to this ish!

[@chrisk2734]

Different Olympic committee team

[@jayvega9641]

@@ninacruiseuh, was Candace or Tauraci being sabotaged like C.C? nope!

[@purestock22]

@@ninacruise The level of play now is much better now that when Candace was a rookie. Use your head.

[@3goku]

Those two separate sources also stated that some players threatened they wouldn't play if clark was selected. the level of pettiness, jealousy and in some instance racism from female analyst and current players blows my mind.

[@dylanloveskellytaylor4774]

You figure they would want to have Clark there to show America to end the narrative that they have been saying is wrong that no one is hating on or jealous of CC. By having her being taking under the wing of the veterans, learning from them and being friendly with them would have ended that narrative for good but this just confirms it instead.

[@andref9663]

Where is that quoted?

[@3goku]

@@andref9663 I only saw it on print media. No shows talked about it.

[@Roadkill515]

No, if that was true, it would be covered. I call BS

[@3goku]

@Roadkill515 hey u do whatever u want with it, it's all anon leaks. They could all be bs, except for the obvious I originally pointed out.

[@DD-sr9xm]

Well said guys. If they HAD brought CC, even playing just 5 minutes per game, all their games would have been broadcast, in the US and beyond, and viewership would have been huge. But now, they are not bringing her, people won’t have interest, only the finals will likely be broadcast and the CC fans will actively AVOID watching. And just watch the reaction of the WNBA players who are there and then complain they didn’t get enough support.

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

Wrong. They show swimming, gymnastics, track and field. Stop lying to yourself

[@ddbutikofer825]

@@I.P.Freely2-yz1je - So you haven't been paying attention?? - Sucks to be you I'm certain.

[@ddbutikofer825]

@@TheCoz27 - Yes, yes it will. You are wrong.

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

@@ddbutikofer825 I been watching since pat summit at Tennessee

[@ddbutikofer825]

@@I.P.Freely2-yz1je - You realize it's 2024 and Pat is dead.

[@chumark54]

Before CC joined WNBA I was somewhat in doubt about the talk that some WNBA players were jealous of CC. Now after seeing all the talk and actions from these players against her, current and former, I know it for a fact. It's like the saying: "Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt."

[@TT41401]

Not putting the biggest fan draw in the history of womens basketball on the Olympic team is really a dumb idea. I am sure NBC is going out of their minds right now. If they want anyone to watch the womens Olympic basketball, Caitlin Clark needs to be on the team regardless of if she plays a lot. What are they thinking?

[@michaelwilliams5234]

My guess is there not thinking at all and neither is the WNBA. Truly a travesty. Some selected players have not even played a game. This squad should be 10 of the best and 2 rookies. Period.

[@michaellacross5266]

It's as dumb idea if you believe that merit doesn't matter. If you believe that merit matters, then you praise it. ESPN has figure out they LOST the fight for CC22 Olympic bid because the failed the merit test. They even conceded that the players going are better right now than CC22. When they attacked the idea that merit doesn't matter, they were attacking a losing battle. Now look at them, they're having to change their angle. They want to attack the merit argument straight up, and they're losing because the fact of the matter is CC22 is not better than the players going because the players going are all situational based on position. Watch CC22 play in the W. Not the highlights, the entire game. You will see that she is playing "tired." I can tell. It's obvious. I also understand it. She's been playing since November. Next year is the year the CC22 will get judged as a player. She'll be judged by her individual game, and on the success of the Fever. The Fever need to show some improvement. If the Fever continue to lose, CC22 popularity will dip. CC22 fame came as a function of Iowa winning the last 2 years. CC got the credit for it. But if Iowa didn't win, CC would be anonymous.

[@michaelwilliams5234]

@@michaellacross5266 leading NCAA scorer of all time. She has 2 Gold medals in the youth Olympics. Not good enough? She would have brought more to the table than any other player USA team player their rookie year. Your high brother.

[@vimmentors6747]

Not a Caitlin Clark or WNBA fan here. I have never watched a Team USA WBB game, gold medal or otherwise from start to finish. Why? I find the "high level" WBB game of bodies milling around in the paint and blowing 4 foot bank shots to be painful to watch. Its hard to imagine a good high school boy's team not torching a WNBA team. I watched most of a Fever game, and the game was a lot more exciting when Clark was in. Three point shots. Stretch passes. Gliding through the lane. The quickness of the game was night and day. If she represents a new style of playing WBB and girls follow her and try to emulate it, the WNBA maybe has a future. If the bisons keep playing hack-a-shaq and trying to gring her down, and keep playing like buffalo at a watering hole, the WNBA will only exist as long as the😢 men keep donating to that charity.

[@banebeardontwalk]

Two years ago I somehow found myself watching an Iowa game months before Iowa vs LSU in the NCAA Championship and was blown away. Blown Away!!! Mostly by the passing. I tried to watch Taursi when she first came to Phoenix. I didn’t last long. This is not about race or anything else. It’s about an uptempo action packed fun to watch. I’ll say it again fun to watch style of play. Kill that. Don’t highlight that. You only have a product that has to be subsidized to the tune of $50 million a year. @vimmentors6747 makes a great take. PS: that Taurasi went to the Olympics as a rookie and I bet was welcomed as the future of the game and she ices out CC says a lot.

[@julesscangojr.35]

BOOM

[@eaglegreek]

Now they want her to be an activist.

[@rogerbeck3560]

As far as Merit she has set the record for the fastest to 150ppg 50 rb and 50 assist in her rookie year. It wouldn't hurt the team for the exposure if she was the 12th on the bench and only played a limited minutes... There have been Rookies on the USA Team before...More people (Millions) would watch the USA Team, but if not very few would watch.

[@jimough2441]

The WNBA needs every marketing boost they can get. Clark is a huge asset to put butt's in seats. They seem to be more impressed with their status than is warranted.

[@ttmho96]

So strange how the league and other players are handling her. You have a kid that can really draw people in and they don't seem to understand how to capitlaze on it. Maybe this is why the WNBA hasn't made money since existence.

[@scottboswell6406]

That has always been their problem. They keep demanding their potential audience to accept them as they are and not make changes to give the audience what they want.

[@artdogg50]

They're simply delusional.

[@johntruxal432]

I laugh every day that cc , reese and brink made more off nil than 90% of the league has made in their welfare league careers...delusional victimhood and envy from the charity league...😂

[@hochha]

The phrase " Physical Game" means the referees will call fouls Clark makes but not fouls committed on her by the veterans in the league. Clark has three gold medals from International play.

[@natureredux1957]

Yet another MYTH spread by the Clark Fans. Clearly you don't even watch WNBA games.

[@akunneogalanya4929]

You guys are so weak and complain too much

[@natureredux1957]

Totally not true.

[@dukelombardi4565]

Clark gets karate chopped in the face then they say intentional play is 10x more physical. Cmon.

[@snowhawk04]

She has 3 gold medals with the Under-X teams. Her only connection to the senior national team is an invitation she had to decline. She didn't participate in last summer's Americup with the senior national team. As for fouls, CC is currently 11th in free throws attempted with a non-existent intermediate shooting game to draw fouls off of. CC's foul issues are tied to her conditioning. She simply falls apart as a defender when she gets tired and give little-to-no effort.

[@dampfanator]

Robbing a young star the chance at the Olympics at age 22 is honestly gross, and a very rude welcome to the WNBA. These are stacking up that there is a clear and present resentment of Caitlin Clark throughout the organization by the women, not men.

[@natureredux1957]

She was Robbed of nothing.

[@dampfanator]

@natureredux1957 a chance to start stacking gold medals? The honor to represent her country. Is there a 100% guarantee she's playing next Olympics? If you can't see how this league is treating her then you are willingly ignorant.

[@natureredux1957]

@@dampfanator I have watched plenty of WNBA games. Most players are being treated FAR worse then Clark. But since your kind really doesn't understand nor actually care about Basketball, of course your are BLANK about it.

[@moyosoredada3109]

Is she currently better than any of the guards on the team?

[@kingroyalty9621]

Who got robbed ?

[@FIFODavid]

The irony of this video, for me, getting interrupted by an ad for Gatorade that featured many athletes, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

[@AntLive29]

Gatorade...Is it in you!! LOL

[@AWegener-dd1sc]

That was Aja Wilson

[@mattewmock9366]

The WNBA doesn't understand the strike while the iron is hot theory. There is no guarantee Clark will be as popular as she is at this very moment in 4 years. You finally have a player that draws interest to your game. You need to use it as much as possible while you can.

[@boesiWolf]

To me it looks the WNBA understand this. To not let her on the team, generated more media interest, than put her on the team.

[@mc76]

For the last time, the USOC is not the WNBA. Four of the members have no affiliation with the league at all.

[@mattewmock9366]

@@mc76 the entire team is made up of the WNBA. They shut the league down for three weeks. It's just a dumb business decision. More Americans and possibly the world would watch the team play if she was on it.

[@a.churchilllancer9142]

Great point Rich: Wouldn't it have been amazing if Team USA took both Caitlin and Angel. That way the race element would have been neutralized and a it would have bolstered any growing the game justification.

[@easyb622]

To be honest with you, I would have took Angel because she’s more defensive than CC.

[@BabySpit]

Yep.

[@nonamewillbegiven1217]

No it wouldn't

[@jmebig3044]

Rich is capable of great analysis, but I listen to his entire crew and it’s sad. Can’t see the forest for the trees. This is so dumb. It’s the WNBA’s only chance and they are blowing it because of pure pettiness. Diana Taurasi was MVP of an unwatched league. No one cares about her.

[@davwatto63]

Nike have granted Clark a $28m sponsorship .... they would want their investment to be showcased in a global market ..... Think WNBA will be getting a call ????

[@d8l835]

The WNBA finally got what they have always wanted. Relevance. This is absolutely the most anyone has talked about, let alone watched the league

[@verververververver]

Wow TJ, what a shocking revelation. People watch things their favorite player is in.

[@Uuusssaaas]

If I owned the TV Rights to the Olympics, I would be mad as heck.

[@inertial6]

Diana Taurasi will never retire and she will continue to play well into her 90s and she will continue to be selected to the Team USA while she is playing, due to her......experience. Time to pass the torch to younger generation. But if this was her final farewell Olympics games, somebody surely did not want Caitlin to overshow that. Now do we?

[@MichaelMackenzie-sb4hx]

Boycotting the US Olympics women's basketball

[@gugy68]

Do people really watch those games? 😂

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

People don't care.

[@litedawg]

People have been doing this for years already 😂

[@chrisk2734]

U were never a fan. U don't matter.

[@legitdragon6202]

Aww poor wittle baby

[@nr14989]

CC is the most guarded player in the entire world. I havent seen anyone is full court pressed and double guarded from start to finished yet CC deliver 150ts, 5rebounds, and 6 assist deserves all the merit

[@bigtone5029]

That's how you shut down a one trick pony

[@jayvega9641]

⁠@@bigtone5029”one trick pony”? Who gets blitzed more than any other player in the league. Hmmm…all that energy spent to prevent her from shining- rather petty. They never did this to Taurasi, Swoopes. They really don’t want her to get any consideration for rookie of the year.

[@bigtone5029]

@@jayvega9641 Cry me a river, if she's so good, then she should be able to overcome it and dominate like Jordan did, unless she is not as good as the hype.

[@mc76]

@@bigtone5029 I seriously think her fans would be perfectly happy if the other teams would just sit back in a two-three zone and let Clark fire three-pointers at will. Or maybe we should call the league the WWENBA and determine the outcome of the games beforehand.

[@erob1962]

​@@mc76they would like the WNBA to mandate that

[@ruyeliaslopez7783]

Dinosaur Taurasi is entitled to her 7th Olympic gold because she is the "GOAT"? Sounds selfish and delusional.

[@breezybreeze12]

Extremely selfish

[@doug6013]

Taurasi as great of a talent and huge of a legend that she is,was given a place on the Olympics in 04 her rookie year. Because it was thought she was going to be great not that she fully deserved to be on the Olympic team.

[@colpul2103]

I'd argue right now DT is just a better more rounded player than Clark, and a much better fit for a team who will only have a handful of practices together. Team US does not need a point guard with a 1.09 assist to turnover ratio throwing up needless threes at less than 33% and a -10.6 +/- (yes, her team is about 11 points better when she's on the bench). DT can play 3 positions offensively and guard 4 defensively and is ranked 36th defensively in the W, Clark can play 2 positions and maybe guard 2 with a defensive ranking of 133rd. TD has 20+ years of being clutch in professional and International ball, Clark has not shown can play big time in the big time. DT is entitled to it because she's earned it, Clark has earned nothing in the league but money off her hype. Look, I am a Clark fan and think she will have an amazing career. But I'm not climbing on the cult of personality train.

[@I.P.Freely2-yz1je]

Get over it.

[@MashiroRedo]

@@colpul2103DT ain’t getting guarded like CC. That changes how easy it will for team USA to win. Either give CC the 3 or blitz her which with an all star team they can take advantage of. I’m American but the wnba is anything but American. Beat USA for me

[@fujidenzo_kid4147]

The fans are not stupid. Its seeing her in the parade that kids and the grandparents will see that is more important. Kids and grandparents and families are the fans of CC. Its the nuclear family which I know is not a priority in the woke WNBA Edit: She is popular outside the US. I am from the Philippines and we have a big fan base here.

[@TomChapin-zh9ji]

Does the WNBA have a sportsmanship award. If they do it should be presented on a Comedy Central episode.

[@iancarrey4123]

She has better stats than the girl who has not played in a year bc she is injured.

[@chrisk2734]

The injured player is on the same team as Diana and keelah which is important because they know each other. The know how to feed the ball and play with each other. The 12 players only have 7 practices before the Olympics, while other Olympic teams have been playing for months. You need players that have been playing with each other.

[@iancarrey4123]

@@chrisk2734 lol she has not played in over a year. How do you think her timing is ? Game speed? Conditioning ? They have also not lost a game since I was in grade school. Excellent justification though 👏🏽 but it’s still nonsense.

[@kingroyalty9621]

Does she have better stats than Arike ?

[@coreyclark3874]

@@kingroyalty9621 The fact that Arike in not on the team proves that the selections weren't merit based. In an interview Arike stated that she could see that there were politics involved in the selection process, she knew she was going to be chosen so she didn't continue practicing.

[@flamingoboot8874]

@@chrisk2734um no she doesn’t, Chelsea Gray plays for the aces and she played last year and helped lead the aces to a championship… tell me you watch?

[@RickB.rolling]

Facts! Young stars should always be included for new eyes from college and to gain experience. CC and Reese should be on this team!

[@scottboswell6406]

And Aliyah!!

[@JB-zh1tu]

Yes! It would have been a refreshing change to have half of Team USA be the top ranking rookies -- Caitlin, Cameron, Angel, Rickea, Aaliyah or Kate playing together. It would reflect their mission which is to "promote, grow, and elevate the game at all levels." It would also be a great way to showcase unity in the WNBA. There is a lot of complaining about the negativity from the 'new fans,' maybe the league should set an example of all of them working together and getting along.

[@mc76]

@@JB-zh1tu The men's team tried that in 2004. They took home the bronze.

[@coreyclark3874]

@@mc76 What's going to happen in 2028? All of the players on this years team will be over 30 and some will be retired. So they will have to add players that don't have Olympic experience at that point. It would make since to always include a few younger players on each team so that they can gain experience.

[@scottboswell6406]

@@mc76 Let's be honest, most people care more about NBA players and the men's team than the women.

[@chris20874]

Clark shouldn’t be on such a catty, petty woman filled team.

[@eaglegreek]

Fans watch what they want to watch. No one can force fans to watch teams or players they don't want to wacth.

[@televisionsupervision]

Wish Rich was the one who interviewed Jemele Hill cuz she is a one of the media “figures” fueling the Clark resentment. She dialed it back yesterday but look at her comments on other platforms.

[@litedawg]

Hill is race baiting 🗑️

[@willc9866]

I am a new W fan, and in my case it's MAINLY to follow the progress of Caitlin Clark (which, regrettably, means I am, watching her team mostly lose, sometimes by lopsided scores: that is NOT fun to do). This narrative that us new fans "should" watch a bunch of other games too: do we ask baseball fans and basketball fans to watch a lot more games than just their "home teams"? No, we don't. When I watch the Fever games, I DO see the other teams play (and therefore get glimpses of superstar greatness from the likes of A'ja Wilson and the other Olympians, and I certainly watch highlight clips. That's enough; don't demand of "new W fans" that we do a lot more. I'll probably still watch some of the W stars when they are in the Olympics: it would've made a difference for me if CC were selected, but so be it! It's definitely not worth all y'all spending so much of your energy and voices arguing one side or the other.

[@Chin-LongShu]

It’s a good thing CC is not on the Olympic team. You don’t want to be on a team that the coach and players don’t like you.

[@user-zq9ml6ot8u]

I think a big part of her popularity is that the media hyped her up more than any other girl athlete. The media told me to watch her and didn't tell me to watch the WMBA

[@NickCager]

Caitlin would've been my first choice. I'd have also chosen Reese and Brink. No one cares otherwise and you still win the gold easily.

[@JB-zh1tu]

I would have liked to see half of Team USA be the top ranking rookies. It would have been a refreshing change that showed their commitment to the future.

[@mc76]

@@JB-zh1tu That happened with the men's team in 2004. They took home the bronze.

[@kingroyalty9621]

So CC is better than Arike ? Then again u probably don’t know who she is because if u did u wouldn’t be saying nonesense like this !

[@NickCager]

@@kingroyalty9621 Better is subjective. And better at what exactly. Caitlin is more skilled and talented. That's clear. Whose records was she shattering in college? Correct, these women in the WNBA. She's so popular because we've never seen a female at this skill level. Fact. NBA players were comparing her to themselves... there were no other ladies like her. So, "nonsense"? Hmmmmmmmmmmm... you're the expert on that topic.

[@erob1962]

You're a casual

[@aaajjworm]

CC may not even be in the league after 4 yrs of "resentment" treatment and making bookoos of millions of dollars from endorsements.

[@sparty837]

You have a lot players who hate her because she made more money than they have made their entire careers before she even stepped on the court. So you are right, the resent her, they don't get it, that is why they aren't getting the endorsements. Look at how many great players were in the NBA before Magic but he was the first to get a million dollar contract.

[@christopherweise438]

That says everything about those players and not her.

[@Jake-u1g]

Im a 50 year old male from Sydney Australia......Ive watched her every day on you tube since she blew up 6 months ago. I grew up in the MJ generation and basketball took off in Australia. She is a gamechanger and the WNBA is struggling to deal with reality.... I think it is a tragedy because this is an opportunity to create a huge increase in schoolage basketball players around the WORLD..... not just the WNBA. I get goose bumps watching her play and ''the shot'' was up there with Jordans Shot.....dont get me wrong im not comparing her to MJ. But the impact of seeing a young woman playing elite level exciting basketball that has clearly touched people all over the world. in my humble opinion she WILL GO TO THE OLYMPICS, she is like a 'revolution'' in womens basketball and to put the ''revolution' off for another 4 years could blow the whole thing.

[@davidhoban364]

her not being on the team doesnt bother me, the fact they said they didnt choose her because shed be on the bench is absolutely inexcusable, choose her anyway!

[@jmreeves89]

You're talking about it BECAUSE of Caitlin. If it wasn't for Clark, the women's Olympic basketball roster selection would not be a topic on this show.

[@Gilanthius]

Highest scoring collage player ever and she is not going. Is the Olympics going to let that man Brittney Griner play.

[@malikthompson8014]

Kelsey plum was that coming into the wnba too this isn’t the first time someone broke the record.

[@mc76]

Both Kelsey Mitchell and Kelsey Plum were the all-time leading scorers when they left college. Neither was selected to the Olympic team the first time around. As for Griner, she is a 6'9" center. Clark would not have replaced her regardless.

[@jayvega9641]

@@mc76none of those girl can pack stadiums like CC can. That’s what this is all about.

[@easyb622]

Yeah, but she never won chips in college. You have to be More well-rounded than shooting threes

[@jeanfourcade]

Welcome to "the woke fringe", that parallel world where you, and not your chromosomes, get to determine your gender (and other people just have to applaud and agree), where up is down, where mediocre is elite and where insane is sound.

[@braize6279]

Diana Taurai went to the olympics as a rookie, and Caitlin Clark has better stats than Diana by every metric. If they really wanted to lift the league and grow the game, you can't do this without Caitlin Clark. It's that simple. Diana should have stepped aside for Clark. It's just envy and jealousy at this point. Gray hasn't played a game all year. And Christian Laetner played on the Dream Team, over Shaquille O'neal and Alonso Mourning. WNBA was handing a golden goose, and they still managed to screw it up.

[@RogerStebbins-s4l]

As a American i hate to say this but i’m going to say it i hope the US women’s team doesn’t even win a medal for what they are doing to this girl it’s racism in every way and i am tired of hearing blacks complain about racism towards them when they are doing the same thing

[@mc76]

Wow, that's patriotic. Why don't you storm the USOC headquarters and demand a recount?

[@uptown215]

Blacks have a lot of melanin which is very powerful. You should look it up

[@happynotLuckY]

As a Spurs fan, nobody was 3:19 . His effect = more national Tv games and he’s “foreign”. People like to see exciting things. She is exciting to watch. So no, we’re not gonna watch other people play. We’re gonna watch her play to see her play the way we like to watch the game played. Simple. 😂

[@tomtomminger6227]

I am from Austria (central Europe). Before Caitlin Clarke i didn't know any WNBA players (except Brittney Griner bc of the Russia thing) nor watch any games. Now i am watching highlights of the WNBA + game analytics. the ppl in charge of the WBNA and the Olympic squad should be fired for stupidity, all of them.

[@Godiva360]

I am also a FAN Of CC! & We love her! ☄️⛹️🇺🇸

[@scottboswell6406]

I've been thinking there are a few younger players that should have been a part of thus team. Clark, Reese, Boston!! The last 2 have won national championships and Aliyah was a seasonal MVP! Taurasi was the best of the best in her time, but she has 6 gold medals already, her legacy is untouchable. Let the younger stars play, grow the game!!

[@mc76]

The men's team tried that in 2004. They took home the bronze. International ball is a different animal.

[@scottboswell6406]

@@mc76 So what? Let them learn what it is. Let them even fail sometimes, so they can learn from it. They've been winning gold since 1996 and generally most people don't care.

[@yeah_no_thanks]

camp for the Olympic team was 3rd-5th of April the woman's college finals were 5th-7th of April. the timing for the rookies was just awful

[@playerx2006]

I'm a CC fan, I only watch CC. When Indiana won the other day but they were only using CC as decoys, I wasn't happy

[@michaels.2331]

This is how the majority feels in my opinion because this is exactly how I feel as well.

This is how I feel also

[@breezybreeze12]

I have no idea why this coach would draft her to reduce her down to a spot up shooter 😂 she has undermined Clark so many times I don’t understand how she is still employed

[@mc76]

@@breezybreeze12 The coach's continued employment is not contingent on making Caitlin Clark a star. Her continued employment is based on victories, which have been few and far between with Clark as the focus of the offense. Sides tried something different, and it worked. A true fan would be happy the team won. Or would you rather that Clark put up 30 points a night but the team lost 30 games this season? That is the pace they are on.

[@kingroyalty9621]

So if u only watching one player how can u comment on what’s going on with other players ? This is exactly why CC only fans should stay out of it because yall clearly don’t know it’s way more better players than her in the league

[@peterhaslund]

"Who would YOU kick off the team?" Don't even get me started. Please.

[@MaxxZimonick]

How about the girl who hasn’t played all season and who is injured? How about the woman who kneeled during the Anthem? 2 right there.

[@briano9397]

They couldnt afford to anger TheShadeRoom commenters by putting Caitlin on and not Angel

[@zikemdg]

Being the all time leading scorer for the men's and women's programs in NCAA history alone should have gotten her on that team, that's before the chartered flights, attendance records and sensational logo threes!

[@TheVagolfer]

Rich, please lead the charge to get CC out of this toxic league. The WNBA will never accept her, she will never reach her potential on this team, and the racism, sexism, and jealousy is rampant! CC...GO TO EUROPE!!!!

[@jeanfourcade]

CC is the ONLY topic bringing global attention to women basketball. Her name is cited 1.000 times more across all platforms on a daily basis than that of ANY other player. She gets all sportshows and all ex stars (male and female) from different sports talking about her. Clark NOT making the Olympics is the only factor generating attention for the US team. And they (WNBA, US Team) don't realize what Clark brings to their obscure - and unprofitable - sport? Sheer insanity.

[@randywilliams9959]

Imagine the amount of great assists CC would have with a whole team of Ballers if she was on the US Olympic roster

[@shamkala-kadima2929]

Yes. But they don't care about that

[@erob1962]

Yea... imagine all the turnovers

[@snowhawk04]

I'm not sure what the decision was "truly" based on because I'm not one of the six people that make up Team USA's selection committee entrusted with building the senior national teams. Based on the criteria the chair laid out for their decision-making, CC obviously came up short in a number of areas. She had no experience with the senior national team (sry, U17/U19 doesn't count) and had no advocates. She skipped out on last summer's Americup with the senior national team to go play golf. She couldn't make the 5x5 tryout because of the final four scheduling. CC was still afforded an opportunity to tryout for the team based on her play in the first month of the league. There is more to basketball than logo 3s. Her offense is both simple and predictable. She needs screens to get separation, with or without the ball. With the ball, if she goes left, she's stepping back for a 23+ft elbow 3. She practically never drives to the hoop when going left off a screen. When she goes right, she doesn't disguise whether she's driving to the hoop. When it is clear she's looking to step back on the right elbow, good defenses have decided to pressure her to get her to pick up her dribble. When she gets trapped off the screen, she isn't comfortable with finding an open teammate in the resulting 4-on-3. When she actually does drive to the hoop when going right, defenders have shown 0 respect for her intermediate shooting game. Her jumper from 4ft to 22ft is non-existent. She doesn't have a floater. Teams have picked up on this and decided they are just going to funnel her to the low post defender and challenge her layup. She's been taking the same shots she took in college except now she's not getting free looks and her shooting percentages are reflecting that. The Fever have allowed her to be a ball-dominant, high volume shooter. And her efficiency has been terrible. She also expends most of her energy on the offensive end of the floor. Her defensive effort has been lacking-to-absent and it finally got her benched for a half. She hasn't asserted herself as a leader that motivates her teammates. I'm not knocking her on this because it's what CC has actually said. She feeds off the leadership and motivation from her teammates. CC has no versatility. She isn't a combo guard in the half-court. She has no intermediate jumper. She has no floater. Her three point shooting is limited to elbow 3s from 28ft. She's not a spot threes shooter on the wings. She doesn't spot shoot threes at the top of the key. She can't create her own shot against good defenders. She's about to completely destroy the single-season record for turnovers. 77 turnovers through 14 games, on pace for 220. The current record is 137. And you can't rely on her on the defensive end. The only thing she's got going for her is popularity. She needs rest. She needs time to develop the non-existent aspects of her game. She needs an actual strength-and-conditioning program instead of randomly putting on muscle. If you want a guard that is a ball-dominant, low-efficiency, volume shooter, Arike would have been a better pick (unfortunately she decided to withdraw from USA basketball before last years FIBA Americup). If you want a spot up shooter that can either catch-and-shoot or pull up off-the-dribble, go watch Kayla McBride. McBride can and will shoot from the elbow, the wing, and the top of the key. She has an intermediate jumper she can turn to. She plays defense. There are easily 5 guards that meet more of the selection criteria than Caitlin Clark at this point.

[@shane757]

They can nitpick to make the case for exclusion using 1/2 a wnba seasons stats but that method would rule out multiple people they chose.

[@Wink827]

Caitlin Clark has won 3 gold Olympic gold medals. Nike shoes is international they already know who Caitlin Clark is. Coach Cheryl Reeve is the reason why Caitlin Clark is not on the team.

[@Ryy_Ryy]

100% Im not watching the womens Olympic basketball by default. If CC was on the team, i WOULD 1000% be watching. In any sport, if the NEXT GREAT ONE is going to be on the team i am way more inclined to watch. Why is that an issue? Ive watched maybe like 10 WNBA games a year before CC. Now ive watched that and the season isnt even 1/4 over simply because i want to see HER. I did the same with Lebron as a rookie. I tuned in to watch that young kid make magic happen and it DROVE MY LOVE FOR THE GAME MOVING FORWARD. CC is another version of that. ITS NOT A BAD THING IF PEOPLE ARE ONLY WATCHING WOMENS BBALL FOR HER. How could that even be anywhere near a bad thing? Thats what gets people interested and then followers of the league for years to come.

[@Ryy_Ryy]

Also the reasons for her being on the team would NEVER BE SIMPLY BECUASE SHE IS POPULAR...she has skills to be on the team, shes ahead of other players on the USA roster in terms of stats in her Rookie season. She literally scored more points than any other man or woman in college basketball history....... (as if that means nothing since shes a pro now?) She wouldn't be taking someone's spot due to the fact shes popular. Thats just a shitty journalist take to stir up drama and conversation. Everyone knows she has the skill to be on that team. her popularity on top of that is just a massive plus for the team and women's sports.

[@a.churchilllancer9142]

As to whether she is a top 12 player, it is relative to the team you're playing with. If she switched positions with Taurasi or Plum, her stats would undoubtedly be better and theirs would be undoubtedly worse. No WNBA player has Caitlin's skill set, e.g., logo JUMPER three. Playing with better talent will accentuate her playing, even as a 12th man.

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

*I ran the numbers and Caitlin Clark deserves the spot given to Kelsey Plum* (who is also a guard). Bird's Formula (attributed to Larry Bird) is calculated using all the available box score data as follows: Points + Rebounds + Assists + Steals + Blocked Shots - Missed Shots - Missed Free Throws - Turnovers - Personal Fouls. I also divide the B# per game by average minutes played to give the very useful B# per minute. So using that metric, *Caitlin Clark has a B# of 12.60 and B#/min of .387 to Kelsey Plum's 9.90 and .267.* Clark is also ahead of guard Diana Taurasi's 9.8 and .333, but Taurasi does have 19 years in the league. There is also the slightly weird case of guard Chelsea Gray who made the Olympic team despite not having played in 2024 due to a calf injury. She is supposed to return before the Olympics but who really knows. The bottom line is that you can make a case for Clark over three other players but especially over Plum, unless Plum is a lot better on defense (defense is only captured by Steals and Blocks in the B#).

[@breezybreeze12]

The CC hate is wild

[@robgeorgiouphotography]

Just watching this now - thanks for the shout out to the New Zealand viewers. We appreciate ya!

[@MJM17]

Surely the people who are most pissed about the snub are the NBC execs who were counting on the CC viewership bump. I bet someone got a “stern” talking to after this decision was announced. 😂

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

I bet they didn’t the only people crying are you cult members

[@MJM17]

@@CtFletcher-eg5zj interesting how you assume I’m a “cult member”. I neither complained nor judged the roster decision since I couldn’t care less about women’s basketball. I simply made a logical connection between CC and viewership ratings.

[@CtFletcher-eg5zj]

@@MJM17 Your connection was not logical, NBC execs don’t have a say in who is selected so who would they have given a stern talking to too? They don’t have any oversight over team USA.

[@mc76]

There are 329 medal events in the Olympics. Women's basketball is one of them. Do you really think Caitlin Clark would have made that big a difference? She isn't even making that much of a difference in the WNBA. The league is projected to lose $50M this year, even with her presence. She can only play 40 of 480 games.

[@MJM17]

@@mc76 absolutely it would because _at least_ 250 of those events aren’t even televised in the US. Only the top sports that draw interest are televised during hours where advertising is worth anything. All of the events will be available on Peacock but few will be on TV because they’re worth it to the broadcaster.

[@johng9465]

This idea that legends should get a farewell tour is silly. It's selfish for DT to take a spot regardless of Caitlin Clark. The Women's National team has traditionally had some college representation, but these old heads don't care about the game, they care about themselves.

[@KingofDiamonds85]

I don't necessarily disagree with Clark being left off the team because no rookie made the team. Let her earn her stripes and in 4 years, if she's one of the best players, she'll make the roster. Where the selection committee lost any credibility, in my opinion, was they put two players on the team who either haven't played all season because of an injury(Chelsea Gray) and a player who has only played one game and no more because of an injury(Brittney Griner). You're telling me there weren't two more deserving players in the league right now at those two positions that should've gotten a spot. Of the guards on the roster, Clark isn't better than them yet. Heck, most of the guards have been in the league at least 7 years average. But to have two players on the roster who we don't even know if they can play, makes me wonder what went into the selection process.

[@sunburstsounds]

Rookies hav made the team previously

[@serge6885]

Brittney Griner vs Ace: 25 pts; 9 reb. That was two days ago.

[@KingofDiamonds85]

@@sunburstsounds True, but not this year

[@KingofDiamonds85]

@@serge6885 I know, she just came back

[@mc76]

I actually have watched the WNBA for 10 years, so I know a few things about the rest of the league that is not Caitlin Clark. Clark is not even the best guard left off the Olympic team. That would be Arike Ogunbowale. If Gray can't go, Arike will. She's averaging 26 points per game. As for Griner, she is 6'9" center. Clark wouldn't have replaced her under any circumstances.

[@isachayden9987]

I thought the Supreme Court overturned Affirmative Action??

[@omarandino9083]

I can't wait for sports media to get over this infatuation, and we all collectively go back to ignoring the WNBA.

[@jonq8714]

Speak for yourself. I love the Liberty and have watched them for years.

[@crackalacs74]

Watch the viewership beyond tank into oblivion once the playoffs start and CC isn’t in them because her team and coach sucks.

[@artdogg50]

Well the idea is to actually build something for real to go against your mentality about it. Unfortunately that's the opinion most people, really most men, have about the league. Whether you want to believe it or not, Clark has just clearly moved the needle upward for the struggling and mostly pathetic WNBA.

[@artdogg50]

​@@crackalacs74I think that's sort of happening already. Yeah viewership and attendance appears to be up all around the league, but nowhere near the numbers Clark's team is pulling. And that's with them only 4-10.

[@TheMeefive]

​@@artdogg50Yes and no. Attendance goes up for most teams(not all) when they play against Caitlin and then returns to dismal when they don't. That proves that fans are tuning in for Caitlin, not the WNBA. If she continues to struggle as she has to date, that dynamic doesn't seem sustainable.

[@daniloritualo3081]

Two reasons for them to include her…chelsea and griner….

[@kaylporter276]

Won’t be as many watching now as she has been left off. Snooze fest based on them winning gold the past 7 Olympics.

[@howardscott8724]

The WNBA is mired in the past, captive of too many irrelevant old "stars" like 42 year old Diana Turasi who herself was put on the US Women’s Olympic Team as a rookie. Turasi has five gold metals already, but apparently needs to have six and is willing to keep America’s most exciting young female basketball player off the team to get that sixth medal. Clark was not chosen by the WNBA leadership because of its concern over how Caitlin Clark’s millions of fans would react to what would likely be limited playing time. Putting their heads together, the WNBA leadership, instead of giving Caitlin Clark limited playing time, decided to give Caitlin zero playing time, and kept her off the team. Brilliant. What is the WNBA leadership concerned about now? They need not be concerned about anything. No one will be caring or watching. As noted on one of many news media reports on Caitlin Clark, “Her celebrity status would’ve elevated the game to a global status, much like the NBA. The league will now have to wait at least four more years for this chance”. But this chance won’t exist in four years. Great work WNBA. You stole this chance from everyone, who would have loved it and shared the excitement.

[@nathanthompson3401]

Get your facts straight boys. Reeve is the coach of the Lynx not Dallas. Unbelievable, especially if you claim to watch the W for a long time.

[@aaajjworm]

All of CC's sponsors must be pissed, as well as the tv networks broadcasting, as well as all the companies paying for commercials, as well as everyone in the space that wants to make money due to CC's popularity.

[@suite225]

Sounds like a coach problem. If you can’t handle the outside noise, you should not be leading a US national team. Regardless, the main point is other players’ have to get their chance to represent the US. It’s a different feeling when you stand with gold listening to the national anthem. That feeling should be share and not monopolized by a few players.

[@BenjWarrant]

So, Rich - what's your response to the way Reese applauded Carter for the out-of-the-blue body slam, and then congratulated her immediately afterwards - particularly after saying, while in the NCAA, that off the court she and Clark are all love and friendship, when she'd been mocking Caitlin on the court? She may be a good player, but she seems to be a nasty person.

[@alansmith7121]

Homey with the Bandana is either signaling or lacks business sense.

[@haqctrix]

Las vegas players received $100k each bcuz of Caitlin clark now they gonna take 4 of their players to the Olympics including injured chelsea gray and not even CC smh hypocrits

[@bthink3610]

It’s called racism Rich!

[@antoniosamuel922]

@bthink3610 How? The guards who are in over her that are also better than her are white?!?!?

[@jaymelynnmcintyre8574]

Plain and simple REVERSE RACISM SADLY

[@addeigloriam4844]

CC has been playing international ball for Team USA since she was like 15. As far as your other point, nobody who likes good bball is watching the WNBA. They’re tuning into a unicorn to see her hit logo 3s. I’m afraid there isn’t a loyal fan base building. Therefore, they have a short window to take advantage of the economic whirlwind left in CC’S wake.

[@brionrock]

lets keep participation trophies off the olympics

[@jonq8714]

Huh?

[@Andre-ig7dz]

let's roll out our 40 year old dinosour,by the way how old was she at her first olympics? you also build a team for the future so take 1-2 players who will lead the team in four years. and we are not even talking about growing the game, which is a point of emphasis of us basketball 😅

[@christopherweise438]

But it's ok for grandma Taurasi to add to her medal count. Love to hear how that isn't a "participation trophy". Why is DT on the team? She's not one of the "best 12". Chelsea Gray hasn't even played this year.

[@legitdragon6202]

Stats really aren't that different - and Caitlin is more of a liability by whiffing almost 70% of those 3s and literal turnovers to give the other team the ball and score.

[@johnv9594]

Why do none of these people have the courage to talk about what this is really about.

[@aaajjworm]

I tried to watch a WNBA game without CC and it's unwatchable.

[@MeneerHerculePoirot]

"Who would you kick off the team?" Griner for sure. Clark is flat out better than Griner. Much better. As accomplished as Taurasi is Clark is better right now than Taurasi ever was. So, either one of those two. This whole thing is based on celebrity and racism. Were Clark black she'd be on that team without a doubt. The W doesn't want a white woman as the face of the league. Angel Reese is trying to photo bomb Clark's selfie. If it wasn't for Clark nobody would even know Reese. Plus, they're all jealous of her shoe deal.

[@JuanTorres-hv5ig]

Decision was subjective not objective.

[@peterhaslund]

Now hundreds of millions of people around the world won't be watching the Paris team. Just too many other sports competing for attention in that very small window. This was a mistake, not only for female basketball or basketball, but for female sports. Caitlin is the front runner now. Just like Navratilova was. Just like Tiger. Just like Jordan.