The WNBA has a decision to start making. Number one draft pick Caitlin Clark fresh out of Iowa, and, having recently raised the popularity of the NCAA women’s game, has had several fouls most recently against the Chicago Sky. The usual pendants will argue that Clark is the beneficiary of white and straight privilege. Outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, as well as Jemele Hill have made bitter statements regarding the fact that Clark’s popularity revolves around her race and sexuality.

Racial and Social Tensions in Professional Basketball

In historically black professions such as basketball, the emotions run even higher. Both the blacks and whites have been programmed to hate one another.

In the recent Chicago Indiana game, Chennefy Carter referred to Clark as a bitch, and then slammed into her. The play was nowhere near where the foul occurred. No foul was called. Kennedy's teammate Angel Reese cheered and hugged after Carter dropped Clark. Later in the game, Reese elbowed Clark and made a racial slur to her.

Interestingly, no one on Clark’s team came to her defense. The Chicago players would not speak after the game, but we were able to go on social media and like several posts against Clark.

The Broader Impact of Racial Hatred in Sports

This is unfortunate. Whenever society inflames racial hatred, violence tends to follow. In the men’s league, there have been targeted attacks made on white players by black players, but also black players on other black players. Unfortunately, there will be much finger-pointing and blame to go around.

While we cannot change the racial inflammation in the nation, the WNBA has an obligation to protect the players.

Learning from History: Player Protection and the Future of the WNBA

Many will remember the Detroit Pistons as the bad boys. The most imposing player at that time on the team was center Bill Laimbeer, a white male who was ferocious on the court. In time, the NBA cleaned up the physicality that occurred during those games. Some would say the game is too soft now. Protecting the players, however, is important.

We’ll see what the WNBA does. This is an opportunity for the game to become much more popular and to have a generational superstar. They should embrace her.