The sports world was taken aback when it was revealed that Caitlin Clark would not be part of the United States women’s national team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The reaction on social media was swift and fierce, with many questioning the decision. One of the most vocal critics was Barstool founder Dave Portnoy, who didn’t hold back his feelings on the matter.
Dave Portnoy’s Outrage on Caitlin Clark’s Exclusion
Portnoy took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disbelief, calling the exclusion of Caitlin Clark, “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He added, “How dumb are these people? Never complain about women’s salaries ever again. Make that team fly commercial. Unreal dumb.”
In a fiery video rant, Portnoy didn’t mince words, emphasizing the sheer absurdity of the decision. “I’d rather watch grass grow, I’d rather watch paint dry. I’d rather watch dirt just be moved around because Caitlin Clark is not on the team,” he said. “If she’s there, it’s appointment TV. You people, whoever did this, take your brain, put it in a museum, and study it for how dumb you are.”
Comparisons to Past Legends
Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd drew a parallel between Clark and Christian Laettner, who was included in the 1992 Dream Team right out of college. “Christian Laettner made the Dream Team. Caitlin Clark can’t make the women’s Olympic basketball team?” Cowherd questioned. He further pointed out the financial implications, noting, “What mostly pays for the Olympics — oh wait — revenue generated from broadcasting partners. As in TV. As in Caitlin is TV GOLD. Opportunity wasted.”
A Missed Opportunity for Growth
Justine Termine of Sirius XM echoed these sentiments, highlighting the missed opportunity for the sport’s growth. “Even if she stinks, which she doesn’t, that’s horrible vision,” Termine posted. His comments underscored the potential impact Clark could have had in attracting new fans to women’s basketball.
The Broader Impact
US soccer legend Alexei Lalas shared his perspective, admitting he wasn’t well-versed in USA women’s Olympic basketball. However, he made it clear that Clark’s presence would have been a major draw for him. “I don’t know enough about USA women’s Olympic basketball to know if Caitlin Clark’s omission is a snub. I do know that, right now, she would be the only reason I would remotely care about USA women’s Olympic basketball,” Lalas wrote.
Michele Tafoya also weighed in, calling the decision a “lost opportunity.” She emphasized that including Clark would not only grow the sport but also generate interest. Tafoya went as far as to describe the decision as “detrimental” to women’s basketball.
Verdict
The news of Clark’s exclusion, which isn’t official yet, comes after her stellar performance on Friday night, adding to the confusion and disappointment surrounding the decision. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the selection committee will reconsider their choices.
One thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s absence from the 2024 Olympics has sparked a significant debate about the future and visibility of women’s basketball.
Source: NY Post
