The Sheryl Swoopes and Caitlin Clark controversy had seemingly died down in current months, solely to return roaring again. Now, there’s a brand new social gathering concerned: Corridor of Famer Nancy Lieberman.
To refresh your reminiscence, Swoopes has been taking warmth since 2023 over her ideas concerning Clark breaking her NCAA single match scoring file. It didn’t get any higher in 2024 when Swoopes made inaccurate feedback on a Gilbert Arenas podcast concerning Clark’s pursuit of Kelsey Plum’s NCAA scoring file.
Issues bought so out of hand over a number of weeks that followers made “Don’t Be A Sheryl” (and “Be a Sheryl”) shirts, voicing their opinions on the matter. Days later, Swoopes revealed that she apologized to Clark and stated Clark’s determination to go to the WNBA was good for basketball.
That was seemingly the tip of it, and regardless of the awkwardness of Swoopes interviewing Clark throughout a Dallas Wings preseason sport, the 2 have been amicable, and that was that — till it wasn’t. Swoopes’ current feedback about Clark and the Indiana Fever have ruffled feathers with followers, turning the entire saga again on.
Right here’s all the things we all know concerning the Sheryl Swoopes-Caitlin Clark-Nancy Lieberman drama:
Hoops followers change into enraged over a perceived Caitlin Clark slight by Sheryl Swoopes
(Annie Rice/USA TODAY Community)
Throughout an August episode of Swoopes’s podcast, Swoopes and her co-host Jordan Robinson mentioned how the Olympic break helped the Fever. Because the dialog continued, Swoopes didn’t point out Clark within the checklist of gamers she named as the explanation why the Fever have been enjoying so effectively.
That enraged Fever and Clark followers — who have been already miffed over Swoopes’s feedback throughout one other podcast episode in July. (On the episode, Swoopes made the declare that the Fever could be within the playoffs with out Clark due to the celebrities they’ve on the roster. However, in accordance with Robinson, many missed the complete context of the dialog and the second Swoopes went on to reward Clark.)
Swoopes’ perceived lack of acknowledgment bought the eye of Stephen A. Smith, who traded jabs with Swoopes over her evaluation.
You speak about whomever and no matter you need to in your podcast. Appropriate? So why cannot I? Additionally, did you take heed to the ENTIRE episode? NOPE! I’ve a private relationship with these gamers and so they deserve recognition as effectively. https://t.co/bRmORD7JaY
— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) August 23, 2024
Sheryl Swoopes’ lack of recognition for Caitlin Clark throughout a broadcast followers flames
(Picture courtesy of NBA TV)
Issues bought worse when followers observed that Swoopes didn’t say something about Clark throughout an Aces-Wings broadcast when she and Napheesa Collier have been acknowledged as Gamers of the Week. (It’s value noting that Collier was additionally not acknowledged by Swoopes.)
Chatter instantly started gaining traction in hoops circles. Days later, when the Wings performed the Fever, Swoopes was not on the printed staff and was changed by her colleague, Nancy Lieberman.
Nancy Lieberman pays tribute to Caitlin Clark and what she has accomplished for the WNBA
(Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports activities)
Lieberman was on the decision because the Fever and Wings performed a back-and-forth thriller on September 1. Through the sport, Lieberman took a second to share her ideas about critics of Clark. Right here’s what she stated:
“After I walked in earlier than the sport, there have been tons of of followers lined up. What Caitlin Clark has accomplished for the sport is generational, and as a baller to a baller, I simply need to say thanks to you … for lifting our sport up, you and so many nice gamers.”
“You’re going to make all these ladies multi-millionaires someday — like Tiger did, like Michael Jordan did. We shouldn’t hate on her. We should always have a good time her, not tolerate her.”
Lieberman was lauded for praising Clark, however many followers puzzled why Swoopes wasn’t there. Swoopes shared that she wasn’t alleged to be.
Sheryl Swoopes reveals the apology message she despatched to Caitlin Clark
Regardless of saying in February that she wouldn’t share what she stated to Clark when she apologized, Swoopes reversed course and shared screenshots from their dialog.
It’s unclear why Swoopes revealed the messages. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that Swoopes posted the messages, calling consideration to “good” followers after she obtained quite a few NSFW messages and mentions on social media over Clark.
Was having a convo with two Caitlin followers(really good ones) and despatched this to them concerning me reaching out to CC again in February. https://t.co/6Kqi3dlHg4
— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) September 2, 2024
Nancy Lieberman continues the Caitlin Clark-Sheryl Swoopes discourse with Stephen A. Smith
(Roy Rochlin/Getty Photographs for Fanatics)
The drama between Lieberman and Swoopes continues to boil over and has now circled again to Smith, who had already had beef with Swoopes. Smith invited Lieberman on his podcast to share feedback about Clark, Swoopes and different WNBA subjects.
After all, the Clark-Swoopes drama was entrance and middle as Lieberman revealed that she and Swoopes have been at odds after a cellphone name earlier this yr concerning Clark. Lieberman says that in that decision, she instructed Swoopes she might have an opinion on Clark, however “you do need to get the statistics proper — I imply, information matter.”
Lieberman claims that Swoopes was upset along with her for suggesting that she apologize and admit she made a mistake. Upon reflection, Lieberman instructed Smith, “My life’s going to be good or nice with or with out Sheryl Swoopes in my life — I’d relatively have her in it…”
Swoopes claims that Lieberman’s model of occasions isn’t what occurred and that she, too, could be fantastic with out Lieberman.
Now right here you go! I get what you attempting to do wit ya boy @stephenasmith but it surely ain’t working. You realize good and effectively what occurred. And ditto…my life is sweet with out you too(and him). You wanna go there? https://t.co/puXmIfjy56
— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) September 2, 2024
Swoopes later accused Smith of not speaking about Lieberman’s earlier feedback suggesting that if she have been Clark, she would have punched Chennedy Carter within the face over her hip-check foul.
Nevertheless, it was mentioned on the podcast, and Lieberman defined that she had a dialog with Chicago Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon about it. That is what she shared with Smith:
“I stated Spoon, ‘I didn’t say she ought to punch Chennedy Carter in her face. I stated that is what I’d do if I have been blindsided…’ However my remark about hitting her wasn’t about her. However we had this dialog, which we apparently can’t have with me and Sheryl Swoopes.”
“And I nonetheless assume she was incorrect about what she did, and you recognize, all of us need to be skilled…however simply do your job. Do your job. You receives a commission to do your job as a broadcaster. Do your job.”
“No person stated it’s important to be in love with anyone else, however for those who’re gonna do an Indiana-Wings sport, you’re gonna have to speak about Caitlin Clark and her nice teammates and what they’re doing…
