Michele Tafoya, a former NFL reporter whose career has been defined by a sharp and often controversial voice on sports, has turned her attention to the WNBA. Her recent comments on Caitlin Clark, the league’s top-draft pick and one of its most high-profile stars, have sparked fresh debate about the intersection of performance, perception, and player relationships in professional sports.
Clark, who has been a dominant force in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) since her arrival with the Indiana Fever, has consistently been at the center of the conversation. Her All-Star voting results, which placed her ninth among guards after the player rankings were announced, have ignited a firestorm on social media. The disparity between her fan support — where she finished first — and the player rankings has raised questions about the motivations behind the latter.
On OutKick’s ‘Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich,’ Tafoya made the case that the players’ low ranking of Clark is rooted in something other than statistics or performance. ‘It’s jealousy,’ she said, describing the players’ treatment of Clark as an example of ‘hatred.’ This is a stark contrast to her earlier public statements, where she praised Clark’s impact on the league and the national profile it has helped elevate. However, on this occasion, she seemed to take a more adversarial stance.
Tafoya argued that the low rankings were not the result of any legitimate performance concerns, but rather an outgrowth of what she calls ‘activist vote’ by the women in the WNBA. ‘Come on, this is insanity,’ she said, calling the rankings ‘childish’ and suggesting that the players are simply unable to deal with Clark’s success. She dismissed the notion that recent challenges such as her struggles with the jump shot or the number of games she has missed due to injuries are the reasons for the low ranking. ‘Don’t try to give me the excuses,’ she said, ‘This is just dumb.’
Clark has been a key figure in the WNBA’s recent popularity surge, drawing comparisons to legends like WNBA Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie. Her high profile has also made her a target in some of the league’s most contentious moments, including a physical altercation with the Connecticut Sun during a game. In that incident, Clark was hit in the face and shoved to the ground, which led to a heated exchange among players and fans. More recently, there were other incidents, including a scuffle between Clark and her teammate Sophie Cunningham with a Sun player, which resulted in ejections.
Despite these controversies, Clark has continued to thrive on the court, averaging over 18 points per game and leading the league in assists. Her support from fans is evident, with over 1.3 million votes in the All-Star selections. Meanwhile, other players such as Paige Bueckers, the first overall draft pick, have managed to secure higher rankings through the voting, which includes input from fans, media, and players. Tafoya’s comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate about the WN, including the balance between personal rivalry and professional competition in sports.