# Former ESPN Anchor Smears Caitlin Clark Fans

> Former ESPN anchor Cari Champion falsely claims Caitlin Clark fans spread racism.
- Title: Former ESPN Anchor Smears Caitlin Clark Fans · OutKick
- Summary: Former ESPN anchor Cari Champion falsely claims Caitlin Clark fans spread racism. Cari Champion falsely accused Caitlin Clark's fans of racism, but evidence…
- Keywords: cari champion, caitlin clark, indiana fever, wnba, maga, racism, fans, sports media, leagues, sports, media coverage, sports journalism
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/former-espn-anchor-smears-caitlin-clark-fans-sweeping-false-accusations-racism
- Author: Matt Calkins
- Published: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cari champion, caitlin clark, indiana fever, wnba, maga, racism, fans, sports media, leagues, sports, media coverage, sports journalism
## Cari Champion's False Claim
Former ESPN anchor Cari Champion falsely claims Caitlin Clark fans spread racism and are MAGA supporters.

> Cari Champion would also like you to know that Clark hasn't done enough to give Black players their respect
## Clark's Fan Base Reality
Clark's fans include top female athletes who won Wooden Awards without selling out arenas.

> Sue Bird, Dianna Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum were all No. 1 overall picks who won the Wooden Award in their final year of college
## Clark's Popularity
Clark set NCAA scoring record while leading country in assists for three straight years.

> Clark didn't rise to fame because she played college basketball unlike any woman who's come before her
## No Real-World Harassment
WNBA found no evidence of Clark fans causing real-world harassment during game reviews.

> After a review involving fans, team and arena staff and audio and video from the game, the WNBA said it could not substantiate the allegation
## Clark's Race and Popularity
Clark's race and sexual orientation don't explain her popularity among fans.

> Clark being the most entertaining women's basketball player in the world is what brought in all those new fans
## Comparison to Other Athletes
Clark's popularity compares to Serena Williams and Simone Biles without racial bias.

> Given how popular athletes such as Serena Williams and Simone Biles were, it seems silly to think Clark wouldn't have achieved the same notoriety if she were Black
## Champion's Racial Claims
Champion claims Clark fans don't accept other players' queerness or blackness.

> She went so far as to say that Clark supporters can't accept other players' queerness or blackness
## No Evidence of Hate
Clark fans have no documented cases of real-world harassment or hate speech.

> But concrete evidence of Clark fans acting in a hateful manner, at least in real time, is severely lacking
## Clark's All-Star Voting
Clark ranked second among fans, third by media, and 11th by players in All-Star voting.

> Caitlin was ranked second among guards by the fans, third by the media....and 11th by the players
## Kelsey Plum's Similar Ranking
Kelsey Plum, also white and straight, ranked sixth among fans, fifth by media, and 12th by players.

> Kelsey Plum, who is also white and straight, finished sixth among fans, fifth among media and 12th among players
## Champion's Projection
Champion's claims likely stem from her own biases rather than Clark's fan base.

> Some might see it as provocation. I can't help but wonder if it's projection
## Key takeaway

Cari Champion falsely accused Caitlin Clark's fans of racism, but evidence shows no real-world harassment occurred.