Dave Portnoy responds to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's comments on Caitlin Clark
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 16, 2026, 4:08 AM
Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Debate over Caitlin Clark as the 'face of the league' intensifies following Alyssa Thomas’ suspension. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar expressed skepticism over the label, questioning its validity. This prompted a sharp rebuttal from Dave Portnoy, who defended Clark's status and criticized Abdul-Jabbar's remarks as baseless. The conversation continues to draw attention with implications for player recognition in the WNBA.
- •Alyssa Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension.
- •Kareem Abdul-Jabbar questioned Caitlin Clark being called 'the face of the league'.
- •Dave Portnoy defended Clark, calling criticisms steeped in jealousy.
- •The controversy follows online backlash after Thomas' suspension.
- •Fans and Congress members are actively engaging in the debate.
- 4:08 AMYahoo Sports — “Steeped in Jealousy and Stupidity”: Dave Portnoy Doesn’t Hold Back Over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Caitlin Clark Claim
"After Alyssa Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension, the expectation was that the controversy involving Caitlin Clark would die down. However, things only got worse as Thomas faced online backlash.
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