Bill Maher blasted as he criticizes Caitlin Clark's WNBA teammates for being 'catty' and not defending her
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: On June 8 episode of 'Real Time', comedian and commentator Bill Maher criticized the teammates of rookie WNBA player Caitlin Clark for not supporting her on the court, remarking that "women can be catty," the league has a significant lesbian presence, and suggested that race might also play a role.
Maher showed footage of Clark being pushed to the ground by Chicago Sky player Chennedy Carter, noting that Clark’s nearby teammate from the Indiana Fever did not come to her aid.
Bill Maher criticizes lack of team solidarity among female athletes
Reportedly, on June 1, during the Fever vs Sky game, Chennedy Carter hip-checked Caitlin Clark, sending her to the ground before an inbounds pass.
The WNBA later upgraded the common foul to a flagrant-1 violation, which is defined as "unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent."
Maher asserted that athletes typically "defend each other" and that "men will fight for their teammates," implying that "only women would fail to do so."
“See if this was men, they’d defend each other on their same team,” Maher told his panel, adding “I mean, men will fight from two teams, but when somebody checks you on who’s on your team, you defend that guy. I’m just saying men have their bad parts. We’re toxic. We’re dogs. Only women would do this.”
“Women are catty,” he added. “Even the ones on your own team.”
Maher went on to quote former NBA athlete Matt Barnes who said, “My issue and my question is, where the f**k are her teammates at? I’ve seen a couple of girls smirk when she’s got knocked down, half-a** to pick her up. You guys are supposed to be a family. It’s your guys’ f**king job to have her back, and to have each others’ backs.”
Bill Maher and guests critique Caitlin Clark's team coaching policies
Maher's guest on the show, journalist Abigail Shrier joined in, criticizing the coaching staff of Caitlin Clark’s team, suggesting they should enforce a policy where players must defend Clark or risk being benched.
In response, Maher pointed out a potential racial aspect, stating, "It’s not always racism when a White person succeeds."
Another guest, Reason Magazine editor-at-large Matt Welch disagreed, adding, "It’s not always racism when Black players hip-check someone either."
Maher concluded by saying, "There are multiple factors at play. Women can be competitive, the league has a significant lesbian presence and she isn’t, and race also plays a role. There’s a lot going on here."
Some argue that Carter’s foul against Clark, who is White, was within the bounds of the physical play typical in the WNBA, as per USA Today.
They suggest that much of the criticism aimed at Carter, who is Black, carries racial undertones.
Initially, Carter chose not to address questions about her foul against Clark after the game. However, on June 3, she advised the public not to "form an opinion off of one little clip," as reported by ESPN.
Social media asks Bill Maher 'to get help' for his 'awful take'
Maher's comments quickly drew condemnation from viewers and fans of the WNBA, who accused him of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and insensitivity towards LGBTQ+ athletes.
One viewer shared, "Thanks for sharing your middle school incel fantasy Bill."
In a similar vein, another observer chimed in, "They really should just rename the show “Loud Uniformed Opinion Weekly”. It’s the reason he’s become so popular with the Far-Right."
Moreover, a viewer highlighted, "He's become a desperate man in the twilight of his career."
Adding to the conversation, a follower contributed, "That's an awful take."
A comment emphasized, "Here we go again. Another out of touch conservative who knows nothing about sports and doesn't even watch women's basketball, is running his mouth about something he knows nothing about."
Echoing this sentiment, another comment noted, "Someone get this dude the help he needs. He's obsessed with super weird stuff."
Expanding on the topic, an individual elaborated further, saying, "Maher? You have even less credibility now than all those you have been attacking on both sides of the fence. Time for you to retire."
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