Caitlin Clark flexed one of her “best skills” Wednesday while responding to Megyn Kelly’s criticism of her comments after being named Time’s Athlete of the Year.
In the interview, the Fever star explained that while she has earned everything she’s accomplished in her career, she is also aware of her white privilege — which Kelly took issue with and said Clark was apologizing for in a post on X.
Clark was asked about Kelly’s dig on Wednesday while on stage at a Time dinner in New York City at Current in Chelsea Piers and said her best skill is blocking out the noise.
“I feel like I always have had good perspective on everything that’s kind of happened in my life, whether that’s been good, whether that’s been bad and then obviously coming to the WNBA — like I said, I feel like I’ve earned every single thing that’s happened to me over the course of my career,” Clark told NBC Sports host Maria Taylor, who moderated their conversation.
“But I also I grew up a fan of this league from a very young age. My favorite player was Maya Moore. I know what this league was about … it’s only been around 25-plus years, and so I know there has been so many amazing black women that have been in this league — and continuing to uplift them is very important and that’s something I’m very aware of.”
Clark — who was named an All-Star and Rookie of the Year in 2024 — explained that she’s embracing the attention that comes with her stardom.
“I try to just be real and authentic and share my truth and I think that’s very easy for me,” said Clark, who looked stunning in a plunging black custom gown by Prada. “I’m very comfortable in my own skin and that’s kind of how it’s been my entire life.
“I think I have good perspective on that … I feel like one of my best skills is just blocking things out. The only opinions I really care about are the people I love, my teammates, my coaches, the people inside our locker room, the people I see every single day and I know have my best interest at heart. I think my best skill is just blocking out the noise and hopefully it continues to be. Because with the way things are going and the way the WNBA is going, you want that attention and you embrace it and that’s what makes this so fun.”
Kelly took issue with Clark’s comments in her interview with Time — specifically, her explanation that the history of the league was built on Black players, such as her idol, Moore.
“Look at this,” the media personality wrote in a post to X Tuesday. “[Clark]’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The ‘oh [please] pay attention to the black players who are REALY (sic) the ones you want to celebrate.’ Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.”
Clark, in her interview, told Time, “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege. A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players. This league has kind of been built on them.
“The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
That wasn’t the first time Clark spoke about the legacies of Black players, including Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper and Dawn Staley, and the effect they had on the game.
Clark and the Fever open the 2025 season against the Sky in Indianapolis on May 17.
It will mark new head coach Stephanie White’s debut with the Fever after two seasons with the Sun.
