The resolution to depart the WNBA rookie sensation Caitlin Clark off the Olympic workforce has sparked a wave of criticism and protests from varied sports activities personalities, together with Dave Portnoy, Colin Cowherd, Michelle Tafoya, and even former soccer participant Alexi Lalas. All of them agree that it was a grave mistake to not embrace the preferred participant on the planet on the workforce heading to Paris 2024.
They argue that her presence would result in elevated viewership of the Olympic workforce’s video games, entice extra sponsors to the broadcasts, and increase tv rankings. This, in flip, would lead to higher publicity for the opposite gamers on the workforce.
One of many harshest critics, Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, remarked that “I might fairly watch paint dry than not see Caitlin play within the Olympics,” emphasizing that Clark is at present a magnet for audiences of all ages who’re tuning in to girls’s basketball and significantly to the Indiana Fever, Clark’s workforce.
Caitlin Clark appears drainded of power on account of latest outcomes
Who advantages from Clark’s presence or absence?
Maybe probably the most goal touch upon Clark’s state of affairs comes from former NFL quarterback and present sports activities analyst Robert Griffin III. In a put up on X, Griffin questions who would profit from having-or not having-Clark on the Olympic workforce.
He notes that if Caitlin have been chosen for the 12-player roster going to Paris, there can be a number of advantages: the expansion of the game on account of Clark’s recognition amongst younger folks and women, elevated income for TV companions who would pay extra to broadcast her video games, and higher visibility for the opposite gamers on the workforce.
Nevertheless, Griffin additionally factors out that the one one that would profit from Clark’s absence is Caitlin Clark herself. He argues that whereas Clark is at present the preferred participant on the planet, deciding on her over extra deserving gamers may create extra division amongst followers and media protection.
Making certain USA’s Olympic gold
Griffin argues that the USA girls’s workforce will win the gold medal with or with out Clark: “The USA Ladies’s workforce will win with or with out Caitlin Clark even when fewer folks watch it. They’ve gained 7 straight Olympic Gold Medals with a 70-3 document on the Olympics.”
He provides that not being chosen provides Clark the chance to relaxation, take a break in the course of the common WNBA season, and totally earn her spot on the following Olympic workforce: “This offers Caitlin Clark a possibility to relaxation, have an offseason, and totally earn her spot on the following workforce the precise manner. On the basketball court docket, not the court docket of public opinion.”
Lastly, Griffin emphasizes that the general public ought to totally help the opposite gamers on the workforce, who’re higher than Clark and have earned their spots based mostly on their deserves.
