Dave Portnoy calls Sunny Hostin 'racist' for saying Caitlin Clark's popularity is due to 'White privilege'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On May 22, during an episode of the ABC talk show 'The View,' Sunny Hostin sparked debate by discussing the privileges Caitlin Clark has reportedly enjoyed during her impressive rise in college basketball with Iowa.

This led to Dave Portnoy accusing Hostin of being 'racist' as Hostin suggested that Caitlin Clark's popularity is due to 'white privilege.'

Sunny Hostin calls Caitlin Clark's popularity 'pretty, white, and tall privilege'

In 2024, Caitlin Clark hailed as the most popular basketball player of the year, had an exceptional college career with Iowa before being selected as the top overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft.

Despite starting her career with the Fever with a 0-5 record, the 22-year-old Caitlin Clark is already attracting larger crowds to WNBA games.

Last weekend's game against the New York Liberty set a record with $2 million in ticket revenue.

Despite the ranks and records, the lawyer and journalist said, "I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege."

She added, "There is a thing called White privilege. There is a thing called tall privilege, and we have to acknowledge that."

"And so part of it is about race because if you think about the Brittney Griners of the world, why did she have to go to play in Russia? Because they wouldn't pay her," she said of the WNBA.

Following the host's remarks, Dave Portnoy wrote on X, "Somebody tell this racist all these players are superstars and white and nobody cared till Caitlin Clark. It's the way she plays."

He then listed several notable players: Diana Taurasi, Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, Sue Bird, Elena Delle Donne, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum.

Sunny Hostin attributes Clark's popularity to whiteness, sparks debate among hosts

Hostin's remarks about Clark arose during a panel discussion about former ESPN host Jemele Hill's statement regarding the influence of Clark's race and sexuality on her fame.

While Hostin agreed with the essence of Hill's argument, she had no objections to Clark drawing attention to the league.

"Now, Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, these sponsorships, we hope, into the league, and other players will benefit from it," Hostin said.

She added, "But I do think that she is more relatable to more people because she's White, because she's attractive, and unfortunately, there still is that stigma against the LGBTQ+ community."

Hostin further added, "Seventy percent of the WNBA is black. A third of the players are in the LGBTQ+ community, and we have to do something about that stigma in this country. I think people have a problem with basketball-playing women that are lesbians. Who cares? They are great athletes."

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin countered by saying she became a WNBA fan because Clark is "so fun to watch," emphasizing that her appeal had nothing to do with her race.

Whoopi Goldberg, another co-host, noted that she and Hostin have been advocating for the WNBA for years but also pushed back on Hill's comments.

"To have her reduced that way bothered me a lot because this is her record," Goldberg said.

"Unless you can show me who's got a better record than this, this is why she's getting the attention she's getting because she's a damn good player and doesn't matter whether she's straight or gay. Ain't nobody crying when she's making those balls," she added. 

Reportedly, in her rookie season, Clark is averaging 17 points, four rebounds, and 5.5 assists, despite the Fever's 0-4 start. Nevertheless, the WNBA has experienced a significant increase in ticket sales and viewership for games featuring Indiana's newest star.

Netizens react to Sunny Hostin's comments on Caitlin Clark 

Hostin's remarks were widely slammed by several viewers on social media with many tagging her as a racist. 

A particular viewer expressed, "They don't call her sunny because she's bright....."

Following suit, another observer added, "She is racist."

Additionally, a viewer pointed out, "He is absolutely 120% right! @sunny

is a racist!"

A follower contributed, "Of course @sunny goes the race route."

A comment underscored, "If there’s a pretty, white, tall privilege then there’s definitely a black privilege especially in basketball."

Another comment echoed, "Gosh, I hate these women," referring to The View hosts. 

An individual elaborated further, saying, "Race baiting is a sad way to make a living."

"Reverse racism is out of control," another person said. 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.