• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email

WNBA under fire for turning a blind eye to Caitlin Clark’s treatment, says Kilmeade

Fox News host Brian Kilmeade weighs in on the treatment Caitlin Clark has received since she entered the WNBA and how the league has handled it on 'The Big Weekend Show.'

Former first lady Michelle Obama weighed in on the WNBA rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for the first time. 

During an appearance on the podcast "All the Smoke with Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson," Obama spoke during a group discussion about the impact of the Clark-Reese drama on the WNBA's popularity, the impact on the players' well-beings and "hate" involved.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM 

Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, and Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, look on during the second half against the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I think the tough thing is the social media element to it. But that's true across the board. I mean, we've talked about this on our show; it just takes a normal occurrence. These young kids today, what they have to go through, what they have to be able to withstand, because social media is such a huge part of the world," Obama said. 

"There's the hate. But now the hate is in your room, on your phone, with you all the time. And you can't, for whatever reason, tell these kids to turn it off, because they're making their living that way. I mean, now they are expected to stay engaged. So, I think that makes it feel even worse. But I think, as you point out, that's happening in sports across gender. It's just harder not to withstand other people's horrible, horrible opinions." 

ANGEL REESE JOKINGLY BLAMES TEAMMATE OF CAITLIN CLARK, SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FOR SEX TOY FIASCO: 'GETTING WEIRD'

Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama attends Opening Night celebrating '50 years of equal pay' during Day One of the 2023 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2023. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images) (Photo by Jean Catuffe/GC Images.)

The rivalry between Clark and Reese was renewed in their first game of the 2025 season on May 17. Clark's Indiana Fever defeated Reese's Chicago Sky 93-58, and Clark was called for a flagrant foul after a defensive play against Reese. 

The WNBA announced after the game that it would be launching an investigation into alleged "racist" comments directed at Reese, but could not substantiate the allegations. 

The two have not played each other since that May 17 game, as both have dealt with injuries throughout the season. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) reacts after being fouled by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in May; Michelle Obama speaks during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Obama recently made headlines with another sports-related opinion, when she compared ESPN to reality TV during an episode of her brother's podcast "IMO" in July. 

"It’s all a sociological study. They think that sports is better reality TV, I’m like, ‘It’s the same thing.' If I listen to ESPN for an hour, it’s like watching the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta,’ you know?" Obama said. "It’s the same drama, and they’re yelling at each other, and they don’t get along, you know? I mean, Stephen A. Smith, he’s just like every other. . . ."

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

• ·濮存昕爱马“知青”接种马疱疹病毒疫苗：中国马会由捷克进口
• ·银行自查报告及整改措施
• ·快手2025Q2财报：总营收350亿元 经调整净利润达56亿元
• ·蔚来李斌：2025是汽车行业拐点，用户选择显示出大三排SUV的纯电时代正在到来！
• ·两部门：对按规定发放的育儿补贴免征个人所得税
• ·蔚来李斌：过去十年充换电投入超180亿，全国已建超8100座充换电站
• ·明日花绮罗回应与周鹤年传闻 否认两人有性交易
• ·Red Velvet成员JOY 新专辑大受欢迎 进入Melon HOT 100榜单
• ·七年来，公益路上她从未停息
• ·2025年UJR跳绳公开锦标赛暨UJR杯跳绳比赛圆满落幕 山东队载誉而归
• ·娱乐：力捧大甜甜，她帮我开后宫
• ·Alec Baldwin warns Trump may federalize more police forces after D.C.
• ·赴江苏南京、扬州、洋思教育考察报告
• ·浙江马术选手首次“骑”进奥运会
• ·马特·史密斯加盟新《星球大战》 合作高司令！
• ·烛龙剑指新境，力将重塑国风动作冒险