Caitlin Clark Responds After Megyn Kelly Attacks Her Comments on White Privilege as ‘Fake’

Mar. 15, 2025

Caitlin Clark at TIME dinner in New York City on Dec. 11, 2024; Megyn Kelly at SiriusXM Studios on May 20, 2024.Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

Jason Mendez/Getty; Noam Galai/Getty

After 22-year-old Clark — who was just namedTime’s Athlete of the Year—said in her interview with the magazine that she’s aware “there is privilege” as a white player in the league, Kelly, 54, called Clark’s statements “condescending” and “fake” in aposton X (formerly known as Twitter) on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

A day later,Clark spokeat the “A Year inTime” event in New York City, where NBC Sports' Maria Taylor asked her about Kelly’s criticism — and how she handles the pressure of heavy topics coming down on her “shoulders.”

“I feel like I’ve always had a really good perspective on everything thats happened in my life,” Clark told Taylor.

Caitlin Clark attends 2024 A Year in TIME dinner at Current at Chelsea Piers on December 11, 2024 in New York City.Noam Galai/Getty

Noam Galai/Getty

Noting that her favorite player growing up was Minnesota Lynx great Maya Moore, a Black woman, Clark continued, “I know what this league was about and, like I said, it’s only been around 25-plus years, so I know that theres been so many amazing Black women that have been in this league, and continuing to uplift them is very important and that’s something I’m very aware of.”

“I think I’m very comfortable in my own skin and thats kind of been how it is my entire life,” Clark added.

The WNBA’s 2024 rookie of the year explained, “One of my best skills is just blocking things out.”

Clark said that ultimately, she just tries to “be real and authentic” and that the “only opinions” she cares about are the ones from “people that I love, my teammates, my coaches,” and the “people I see every single day.”

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Finding a silver lining in Kelly’s criticism, Clark suggested that the attention, even negative, is good for the WNBA. “With the way things are going, with the way the WNBA is going, you want that attention and you embrace it,” Clark told Taylor.

Caitlin Clark speaks onstage during the 2024 A Year in TIME dinner.Noam Galai/Getty

In herTimeinterview, Clark said she feels “like the most controversial person” due to the massive attention around her.

“But I am not. It’s just because of all the storylines that surround me. I literally try to live and treat everybody in the same exact respectful, kind way. It just confuses me at times.”

Along with discussing her privilege in the league, Clark’sTimeinterview also touched onher relationship with Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, how she hits her crazy logo three-pointers and why her rookie year made her feel “powerful.”

source: people.com