Stephen A. Smith Blasts WNBA After Caitlin Clark Injury: “She Deserved Better”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith erupted on First Take following Caitlin Clark’s injury, calling it one of the “biggest failures in sports management.” As he pounded his fist, he laid the blame squarely on the WNBA’s shoulders: “You let this happen. And now you want to act surprised?”

Clark, who sparked record-breaking viewership and revitalized the league, suffered a left quad strain, sidelining her for at least two weeks. Her absence is already proving costly—games featuring Clark averaged 1.2 million viewers, while others struggle to reach 400,000.

“She wasn’t just a star—she was the reason for the WNBA’s resurgence,” Smith emphasized. Despite drawing packed arenas and driving a 50% league-wide ticket spike, Clark received minimal protection and league support.

“They didn’t protect her. They barely acknowledged her impact,” Smith said, noting how repeated hard fouls were dismissed.

Calling it “negligence,” Smith warned the WNBA will now feel the weight of its mistake. “She changed everything. She deserved better. And now the world’s gonna see what you lost.”