In a no-holds-barred monologue that’s already shaking up the sports world, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith unloaded on WNBA players who he believes are “flat-out jealous” of Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark — and he didn’t mince words.

The longtime ESPN personality unleashed his bold take following a heated on-court incident where Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter delivered a blatant shove to Clark, sending shockwaves across the WNBA and drawing outrage from fans. But while many were busy debating the foul, Smith zoomed out — and got to what he claims is the real issue: envy.

“There are girls — young ladies — in the WNBA who are jealous of Caitlin Clark,” Smith said Monday on First Take. “She is a white girl that has come into the league, burst onto the scene, and hasn’t proven herself yet — but she’s the face of the WNBA already.”

That, Smith argues, is fueling the animosity and cheap shots Clark is seeing on the court. And he didn’t stop there.

“They Feel Overlooked. They Feel Ignored.”

Smith laid out what many conservatives and sports traditionalists have been saying for months: the WNBA has long struggled for attention, but now that one player — a white, small-town sharpshooter from Iowa — is moving the needle, the resentment is boiling over.

“All of these years trying to uplift this brand that is the WNBA… and all of their efforts were in vain until this girl comes along and takes the league by storm,” Smith declared. “That’s where the jealousy is coming from.”

It’s a claim that cuts straight through the politically correct fog — and predictably, the backlash came fast. Fellow ESPN analyst Monica McNutt pushed back hard, accusing the media of fueling a “false narrative” that pits the entire WNBA against one player.

“The prevailing narrative is that it’s the league versus Caitlin Clark,” McNutt said during an appearance on The Daily Show. “And that is just absolutely false.”

But Smith didn’t back down. If anything, he doubled down — saying Clark is being targeted “because she’s the reason the cameras are there.”

The Race Angle: Media Hype or Reality Check?

There’s no denying Caitlin Clark is a media sensation. From her NCAA record-breaking run to being the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft, she’s dominated headlines. Her debut games have posted record ratings. But now, some critics are turning those achievements against her — suggesting her success is a product of “white privilege.”

That’s a charge Smith vehemently rejects.

“So what if she’s white? Is that a reason to shove her to the ground?” he asked on-air. “You want to criticize the media for putting the camera on her? How about giving them a reason to put the camera on you?”

Smith’s defense of Clark is resonating with fans who feel mainstream outlets have been tiptoeing around the obvious: Clark is driving ratings, attendance, and renewed interest in the WNBA — and the league owes her.

Clark Keeps Quiet — But Her Impact Speaks Loudly

To her credit, Caitlin Clark has largely stayed silent amid the swirling controversy. In postgame comments, she downplayed the foul and focused on her team. But that silence, some argue, is part of what makes her a threat to the old WNBA establishment — she’s not playing by the league’s long-standing unwritten rules.

“This girl is the future,” Smith said. “And some people just can’t handle it.”

Clark has also gone out of her way to credit the players who came before her, acknowledging that she’s standing on the shoulders of pioneers. But that hasn’t stopped some from taking shots — both literal and verbal — at her growing stardom.

Meanwhile, her presence is undeniably lifting the entire league. The Fever-Sky game where she was shoved? The most-watched WNBA game in over two decades.

Conclusion: It’s Not Just About Basketball Anymore

What we’re witnessing isn’t just a rookie getting roughed up — it’s a culture clash. Caitlin Clark represents a new era of WNBA visibility, corporate interest, and mainstream appeal. But instead of celebrating that, some are choosing to tear it down.

Stephen A. Smith is right to call it what it is: jealousy. And like it or not, it’s a conversation the WNBA has to face head-on.

If the league wants to grow, it needs to protect its stars — not punish them for shining. Because as Smith made crystal clear, America’s watching now.

“You don’t have to like her. You don’t have to root for her. But she’s here. And she’s not going anywhere.”

The WNBA can either rise with Caitlin Clark — or risk getting left behind.