WNBA legend Sue Bird has come under fire from Indiana Fever fans after her visible reaction on her Casuals podcast to co-host Katie Nolan’s comments about an unnamed player
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 30: Sue Bird chats with Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever after a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky on August 30, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sue Bird is under fire from WNBA supporters, particularly devoted fans of Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark, following a podcast moment that many viewed as a subtle dig at Clark and her growing fanbase.
The controversy erupted from an episode with Katie Nolan that dropped last Thursday, where the sports media personality discussed last season’s league tensions without explicitly naming any WNBA athlete. To many viewers, the target seemed unmistakable given previous controversies that led Clark to respond to racism accusations among her supporters.
The Casuals podcast host discussed what she characterized as the WNBA’s adjustment period, implying that certain newcomer fans arrived with “a weird reason” and gravitated toward one particular player who, in their view, contradicted traditional WNBA player expectations. Listeners instantly connected the commentary to Clark.
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During Nolan’s remarks, Bird seemed to grin and agree with head movements. Her apparent endorsement quickly went viral, sparking outrage among the Fever star’s devoted followers.
Sue Bird caught heat for her reaction to perceived Caitlin Clark comments (Image: YouTube (@atouchmore))
Nolan did concede that the mystery player was “very, very good.”, reports the Mirror US.
Though Clark’s identity remained unspoken, supporters felt the remarks couldn’t possibly reference anyone else. Bird had previously been forced to respond to accusations of being “petty and jealous” toward Clark on an earlier show episode, despite offering public praise for her abilities on national broadcasts.
Some listeners criticized Bird for gatekeeping, while others argued the conversation actually deepened the very divisions it sought to address.
“I’m done with this damn podcast. I do not trust Sue Bird,” one user posted. Another added, “My love is actually hate? ! ? I’m so sick of this faux psychology and gaslighting bull—-.”
Others referenced their decades-long NBA fandom, pointing out they never encountered similar hostility when supporting stars like Michael Jordan, and wondered why women’s basketball appears to struggle with embracing new fan growth.
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Several fans challenged Bird’s portrayal of Clark’s supporter base. One user contended that Clark’s followers are identical to any other star’s fanbase, except that it is “larger and more diverse”, highlighting her global appeal.
Another dismissed Bird’s comments as “a wild mischaracterization of the problem,” arguing the real issue stems from how prominent figures in the sport like Bird frame these discussions rather than the fans themselves.
Bird recently commended Clark’s handling of last year’s injury-plagued campaign, during which she appeared in just 13 games after maintaining perfect attendance throughout her rookie year.
“The first thing that came to mind, and this comes to the whole Indiana Fever, they did a great job engaging in their season,” said Bird. “I thought what was most impressive was the way she stayed engaged…that speaks to her maturity.”
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