ESPN NBA commentator Kendrick Perkins defended Caitlin Clark and WNBA athletes on Monday.
That came after Pat McAfee used the opening block of his show to hype up Clark to such an extraordinary degree that he ultimately called Clark a “white b***h” while declaring her the main young star growing the league.
Later on NBA Today, Perkins cautioned against any sports commentator barreling into WNBA analysis without proper perspective and respect. He also went so far as to tell McAfee to apologize to Clark and the audience, which McAfee later did.
“I’m looking at guys like Charles Barkley, LeBron James, Stephen A., Shannon Sharpe. Why do I point out those four guys? You have to be careful about the words you put out there,” Perkins said. “The word hating, the word jealous, those are triggering words for women … they have to do a better job with that because it’s not hating and it’s not jealousy, it’s competition.”
Perkins called McAfee’s comments “unacceptable” and demanded respect for the league’s athletes, reporters and fans.
“I’m looking at guys like Charles Barkley, LeBron James, Stephen A., Shannon Sharpe. Why do I point out those four guys? You have to be careful about the words you put out there…Pat McAfee, I think he owes everyone an apology, especially Caitlin Clark.” pic.twitter.com/zDoyNNzCGy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 3, 2024
Previously, James and Barkley were criticized for pitting WNBA stars against Clark and for manufacturing controversy. Elsewhere on ESPN airwaves Monday, Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe debated with Monica McNutt about coverage of the WNBA. Add in McAfee, and it’s a Mt. Rushmore of sports media stars getting pushback for how they talk about the league.
Still, McAfee crossed a clear line by calling Clark the name he did, even if he meant it as a positive. McAfee apologized Monday afternoon for his words.
I shouldn’t have used “white bitch” as a descriptor of Caitlin Clark. No matter the context.. even if we’re talking about race being a reason for some of the stuff happening.. I have way too much respect for her and women to put that into the universe.
My intentions when saying… pic.twitter.com/F6OHB4gvYh
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 3, 2024
It’s notable that Perkins would challenge McAfee publicly, considering McAfee previously brought Perkins aboard The Pat McAfee Show ship for weekly appearances. It’s unclear how that relationship differs from Perkins’ ESPN contract, but McAfee hyped up the partnership in April.
Perkins is no stranger to media beef. He called out Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal throughout the spring over their doubt of the New York Knicks, accusing the Inside the NBA tandem of not watching the games they cover. He has also taken issue with ESPN colleagues in the past, from Stephen A. Smith to the company’s NBA Draft analysts. Perkins also took on Reggie Miller constantly throughout the NBA postseason over Miller’s perceived favoritism toward his Indiana Pacers and even the Denver Nuggets.
Still, Perkins works as much as anyone at ESPN right now. He probably doesn’t have to worry about starting fights so long as he stays on the right side of management.
As for whether McAfee will forgive him, that’s another question.
