Sheryl Swoopes was once the face of the WNBA—a Hall of Famer, an icon, and a trailblazer. But in 2025, she’s making headlines not for her contributions to the game but for being removed from all WNBA broadcasting duties. What was once a celebrated legacy is now clouded by controversy, with fans and insiders pointing to one major factor behind her downfall: her persistent and public dismissal of Caitlin Clark’s impact on the sport.
This wasn’t just a single comment or moment of criticism. Over the past year, Swoopes repeatedly downplayed Clark’s success, often with inaccuracies that sparked backlash from viewers and fellow broadcasters. During multiple podcasts and broadcasts, she made claims that Clark took 40 shots a game, falsely labeled her a fifth-year senior, and even questioned the legitimacy of Clark’s record-breaking career. These weren’t simple slip-ups—they were part of a broader pattern that suggested resentment, not objective analysis.
Swoopes’ most damaging moment came during an episode of Gil’s Arena where she questioned whether Clark’s records should count. She suggested Clark had more time than other players to break records and that her accomplishments should come with an asterisk. This narrative, combined with Swoopes’ refusal to acknowledge Clark’s name during broadcasts, quickly turned into a flashpoint. Fans noticed. So did the league.
Behind the scenes, the tension was growing. The Dallas Wings, where Swoopes had been working as a commentator, began distancing themselves from her mid-season. According to sources, it was fellow basketball legend Nancy Lieberman who stepped in to confront Swoopes directly about her commentary. That conversation reportedly went poorly, and Lieberman ended up taking Swoopes’ spot on the broadcast team—a move that sent a clear message about where the organization stood.
This isn’t the first time Swoopes has found herself on the wrong side of a leadership role. In 2016, she was fired from her position as head coach at Loyola University in Chicago following allegations of mistreatment from players. Ten of twelve players left the program in one season. Former players described the environment as toxic, with Swoopes allegedly belittling and threatening athletes and creating a culture of fear. These red flags should have served as warnings, but her Hall of Fame resume often overshadowed her problematic history.
In 2024, that reputation finally caught up with her. As Clark’s star continued to rise and the WNBA entered a new era of growth, Swoopes found herself out of step with the league’s direction. Her public criticisms didn’t align with the league’s push toward celebrating its young talent and expanding its fan base. Whether it was intentional or not, her refusal to recognize Clark’s influence seemed rooted in ego rather than fair analysis. And in a media environment where credibility matters, that’s a risk no broadcast team can afford.
The WNBA’s growth in 2024 and 2025 has been unprecedented. Clark’s arrival sparked a surge in viewership, ticket sales, and merchandise revenue. She brought millions of new fans to the league and elevated the profile of women’s basketball like no player since Diana Taurasi or Sue Bird. The Indiana Fever, once a struggling franchise, have transformed into a championship contender thanks to smart offseason moves and Clark’s development. The additions of Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, and Sophie Cunningham now surround Clark and Aaliyah Boston with veteran leadership, creating a perfectly balanced roster.
With this rising momentum, the league made a clear decision to protect and amplify its future—not cling to outdated narratives or tolerate divisive commentary. Swoopes, once a pillar of the league’s past, became a symbol of resistance to progress. Her criticisms weren’t just seen as personal attacks on Clark—they were interpreted as undermining the very growth the league was fighting for.
What makes this story even more ironic is Swoopes’ sudden change in tone after her removal. In a recent ESPN appearance, she praised Clark’s offseason improvement and the Fever’s potential to win a championship. To many, this came off as damage control. After months of questioning Clark’s skills and legitimacy, Swoopes’ abrupt pivot raised eyebrows. Fans didn’t buy it, with social media users commenting that the change felt forced and insincere. Some even joked that it must have taken her weeks of mental preparation just to say Clark’s name without bitterness.
Public trust is difficult to regain once lost, especially when it’s built on authenticity. Swoopes’ history as a player was legendary, but her commentary failed to reflect the same leadership and vision. Her criticisms came across not as constructive analysis, but as resistance to a changing landscape. And when that resistance collides with a generational talent like Caitlin Clark, who is reshaping the game in real time, the outcome is inevitable.
Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back in his assessment either. He publicly called out Swoopes for deliberately ignoring Clark’s contributions, pointing out that someone with Swoopes’ basketball IQ couldn’t possibly overlook Clark’s impact unless it was intentional. His rebuke, broadcast on a national platform, signaled that even within the broader sports media world, Swoopes’ stance was out of touch.
Now, the WNBA has made it official. Swoopes has been removed from all broadcasts for the 2025 season—not just Indiana Fever games. The Dallas Wings didn’t include her in their media team announcement, effectively ending her current media career. And the message was clear: the league is moving forward with those who support its evolution, not those who undermine it.
The contrast between Swoopes and the current state of the Fever couldn’t be more stark. The same team she downplayed is now viewed as a legitimate title threat. Clark has adapted to the pro game, building muscle, improving her defense, and maintaining her elite shooting and court vision. Boston is becoming a dominant inside force. Kelsey Mitchell continues to be one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. And with veterans like Bonner and Howard in the mix, Indiana is no longer rebuilding—they’re chasing a ring.
What happened to Swoopes isn’t just a broadcasting shake-up. It’s a moment of reckoning in women’s sports. It’s about holding media figures accountable for narratives that no longer serve the game. It’s about making space for the next generation and recognizing that greatness doesn’t have to look like the past. Caitlin Clark, love her or hate her, has transformed women’s basketball. And that transformation doesn’t have room for gatekeepers who try to diminish it out of pride.
The WNBA is sending a message: celebrate the game, support the future, or get out of the way. In the end, it’s not about silencing criticism. It’s about demanding fairness, accuracy, and respect. Sheryl Swoopes had every opportunity to be part of this new era. She chose not to. Now, the league is choosing to move forward without her.
