Michelle Obama speaking about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photo Via Imagn Images)
It’s rare that the former First Lady would talk about a basketball rivalry. But when Michelle Obama decided to speak about Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, people was curious. The two young stars gave women’s basketball into a new fan following. With that they’ve also carried few controversies that don’t seem to stop.

Clark and Reese have history. From college games to WNBA clashes, their battles have become must-watch. But their rivalry isn’t limited only to the court. It has pulled in social media, and even an official league probe into alleged racist remarks directed at Reese. That mix has given enough attention to both.

Obama Calls Out Social Media Pressure

Angel Reese standing next to Caitlin ClarkAngel Reese and Caitlin Clark (Photo via Imagn Images)
Obama shared her thoughts this week on the All the Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. She clearly spoke up. “I think the tough thing is the social media element to it – but that’s true across the board,” she said. She pointed out that today’s athletes live with a constant wave of opinion, and much of it isn’t kind.

“These young kids today, what they have to go through, what they have to be able to withstand, because social media is such a huge part of the world,” Obama said. She explained that hate doesn’t stay in the stands anymore. It follows players into their rooms and onto their phones. “Now the hate is in your room, on your phone, with you all the time,” she added.

 

She also noted the double bind players face. They can’t log off because their careers depend on engagement. “They are expected to stay engaged,” she said. “So, I think that

Her comments came as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry remains one of the biggest storylines in the league. In May, Clark knocked Reese to the ground during the Indiana Fever’s season-opening win over the Chicago Sky. Reese reacted furiously, and Clark picked up a flagrant foul. The fallout included an investigation into alleged racist behavior from fans in Indianapolis. Ten days later, the WNBA announced it found no evidence to back the claims.

Clark and Reese haven’t faced each other since that on fire opener. Injuries have kept both sidelined at times this summer. But with the emotions high their next meeting promises more drama. Obama’s message, though, was clear, the game is hard enough without the endless echo of hate that now trails behind.

Brittney Griner Finally Breaks Her Silence Over Alleged Caitlin Clark Comments That The WNBA Refused To Investigate

Brittney Griner speaking to reporterBrittney Griner (Photo via Twitter)
WNBA star Brittney Griner was at the center of a new debate over what she allegedly said in a game against basketball phenom Caitlin Clark.

The Atlanta Dream center found herself at the center of social media controversy last month when some fans thought she disparaged Indiana Fever star guard Caitlin Clark upon fouling out.

The game’s broadcast focused on an upset Griner saying something as she returned to the Dream bench after fouling out of the game. While there’s no audio of this moment, some who tried to read Griner’s lips thought she called Clark a “trash f–king white girl.”

However, there’s no proof of Griner saying those actual words since others thought she stated something else.

It took weeks for someone to finally get a quote from her, and she provided much of nothing.

Brittney Griner was asked about this moment before her team’s June 15 game against the Washington Mystics and said, “I remember fouling out, being mad. I remember fouling out on, I believe it was [Natasha] Howard driving to the basket. They said I put my hand in.”

WNBA Chooses Not To Investigate Brittney Griner

Griner Drops F-Bomb, Apologizes Amid Clark Slur RowBrittney Griner (Photo By Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Moments before the conclusion of the Indiana Fever’s 81-76 victory over the Dream at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta weeks ago, cameras seemingly caught Atlanta Dream star center Brittney Griner labeling Caitlin Clark “trash” before calling her a “f***ing white girl” in frustration over a foul on Natasha Howard.

The clip of Griner speaking on the bench, lacking context, spread on social media and went viral.

Griner, who won a gold medal for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, essentially got aw@y with whatever came out of her mouth because the league basically ignored the controversy.

This incident is not the only time Griner vocalized her frustrations this season. Following another game, she stormed off mid-interview, yelling at the referees to “be f—ing better.