Former ESPN host Jemele Hill and 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin have sparked controversy by attributing WNBA star Caitlin Clark's popularity to her race and sexuality. Hill argued that Clark's fame is partly due to her being a straight white woman, suggesting that black women are often erased from the picture. Hill stated, 'We would all be very naive if we didn’t say race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity.' Hostin echoed similar sentiments on Wednesday, attributing Clark's popularity to 'white privilege' and 'pretty privilege,' and stated that Clark is more relatable because she is white and attractive. Hostin added, 'If Caitlin Clark is the vehicle ... I have no problem with that.' These comments have ignited a broader debate about race, privilege, and representation in sports, with some arguing that Clark's impact on the game is significant, similar to Steph Curry's influence in basketball.
Sunny Hostin said people like Caitlin Clark because she’s white, straight & pretty. Not true, it’s because she plays like Steph, but would Sunny have a job in media if she was white and ugly? Of course not. Truth hurts: https://t.co/bc43d6njmo
“The View” host Sunny Host in on Wednesday suggested WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s popularity can be attributed to the fact she is a straight white woman. https://t.co/HHz4Bg4MHq
“The View” host Sunny Hostin on Wednesday suggested WNBA star Caitlin Clark’s popularity can be attributed to the fact she is a straight white woman. https://t.co/PcYH4U3shA
Sunny Hostin accused Caitlin Clark of only being popular because she's white, straight and pretty @ClayTravis https://t.co/jbH40F9Zd4
Sunny Hostin: Caitlin Clark’s rise influenced by ‘white, pretty privliedge’ https://t.co/zTdRs1I8T1
Sunny Hostin says WNBA player Caitlin Clark’s popularity is because she's white and not a Iesbian https://t.co/aWCvLV6uNc
‘The View’ Host Under Fire For Claiming That Caitlin Clark Is Popular Because Of “Pretty Privilege” & “White Privilege” https://t.co/UDhZkPE5zQ https://t.co/UDhZkPE5zQ
Sunny Hostin: WNBA player Caitlin Clark is only popular because she's white and not Iesbian https://t.co/Md61iQFRZO
Rabble-rousers like @JemeleHill and @sunny Hostin keep saying that Caitlin Clark's skin color and sexuality contributed to her popularity. Where is the proof? The facts say otherwise. https://t.co/RTLg67lvFo
Sunny Hostin Claims 'White Privilege' is a Factor in Caitlin Clark's Popularity: 'More Relatable to More People Because She's White' https://t.co/eHEppxNfxO
Caitlin Clark’s popularity is about ‘White privilege’ and ‘pretty privilege’: host of ‘The View’ https://t.co/7ym7P0Uegt https://t.co/4bgyySuLET
NEW: Caitlin Clark is Only Popular Because She's White & Straight, Says Unpopular Black Lady. https://t.co/1ZYb95uC0D
NEW from @thenatpulse: Caitlin Clark is Only Popular Because She's White & Straight, Says Unpopular Black Lady. Caitlin Clark’s entry into the WNBA has ...... READ ON: https://t.co/DDYMOgfSob
The View co-host Sunny Hostin suggests WNBA player Caitlin Clark's popularity comes from 'pretty privilege and White privilege' 'I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege, there is a thing called White privilege, there is a thing called tall privilege, and we have… https://t.co/IXzS8Hz7p8
Sunny Hostin says racist, anti-white trash about Caitlin Clark #CaitlinClark #SunnyHostin https://t.co/TqLdTuS1Mx
Caitlin Clark's popularity comes from 'pretty privilege and white privilege' says The View co-host Sunny Hostin https://t.co/63VIocqNcl https://t.co/jQeznCJkg1
Jemele Hill Claims Caitlin Clark is popular because she is white and pretty https://t.co/NUBRETAIFQ
While Sunny Hostin is happy to celebrate what Caitlin Clark has done for women's basketball, she argued there's far more to the story. https://t.co/T1uUKqAiS3
On 'The View' this morning, Sunny Hostin weighed in on debate over Caitlin Clark's race: "If Caitlin Clark is the vehicle ... I have no problem with that." "But I do think she's more relatable because she's white, because she's attractive." https://t.co/sRe9P9wBGd
Sunny Hostin laments Caitlin Clark's popularity is part of White, and 'pretty' privilege https://t.co/eV5Zpjwe1I
Jemele Hill on Caitlin Clark's success: "We would all be very naive if we didn’t say race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity. While so many people are happy for Caitlin’s success — including the players; this has had such an enormous impact on the game..." https://t.co/rDSPWwbxCC
Caitlin Clark's 'race and sexuality' is behind WNBA' star's meteoric rise, says ex-ESPN host Jemele Hill: 'Black women are often erased from the picture' https://t.co/NjGGBDPbw2 https://t.co/ZSpDYVZfzg
RACISM: Liking Caitlin Clark is racist. Jemele Hill believes the WNBA's Caitlin Clark is only popular because she is white and has sex with men. https://t.co/JwaYUysx90
"We would all be very naive if we didn’t say race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity." - a real Jemele Hill quote about Caitlin Clark. Apparently, being a straight white woman is a problem. READ: https://t.co/DrV2gKdVNa https://t.co/UrfSmwtq5N
Caitlin Clark’s ‘problematic’ fame is about ‘race and sexuality’: Jemele Hill https://t.co/YTBGkn2nCu https://t.co/m0AxC8gVaF
Caitlin Clark's 'problematic' popularity comes from 'race and her sexuality': former ESPN host https://t.co/gvYSc1aBVG
Caitlin Clark is adjusting to life as a professional women's basketball player. https://t.co/tLpRQEab9u