WNBA All-Star Fires Back At Charles Barkley’s Criticism Of Players Who Don’t Appreciate Caitlin Clark

Charles Barkley wants WNBA women to stop being petty and thank Caitlin Clark for getting them charter flights and more money pic.twitter.com/uGAW5HlmRV

— Gifdsports (@gifdsports)

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The Round Mound of Rebound’s comments were divisive. People who do not watch the WNBA and do not know the dynamics of the league quickly laughed at how Barkley mocked the women who they believe are jealous of Clark. True fans were quick to point out that most players are grateful for how Clark inspired change. Others fell somewhere in between, with a logical understanding of the nuance to both sides.

Ogwumike spoke up on behalf of WNBA players as a whole. The former No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft has nothing but appreciation for the No. 1 pick in this year’s class.

Charles and Inside the NBA team are the GOATs of the industry, so respectfully I’ll offer my perspective with love.

Every WNBA player I know supports this rookie class and are grateful for the spotlight & money that Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and co. are bringing to the W!

— @chiney on X

She talked about how Taurasi’s comments were blown out of proportion by people who don’t know her and addressed Swoopes’ mistake.

There are 2 key incidents where CC was criticized. Sheryl Swoopes was wrong on major facts and she apologized to her privately.

Diana Taurasi pointed out that ALL rookies struggle in the W and no one is immune. It wasn’t hate, it was Diana being Diana. If you know, you know.

— @chiney on X

Another key piece of the discussion is the new chartered flight system. Ogwumike explained that they already existed, even though Clark certainly expedited the process for the entire league this season.

Also, charter flights were actually first deployed last year during the W post-season because:

1. Safety with increasing number of star players
2. Revenue trends are starting to support it. W has quickly gone from $60M in 2019 to over $200M in 2023 on a billion dollar valuation.
3. Ever since teams got in trouble last year for trying to find workarounds for charters, this was likely in the plans for this year, especially as owners and players presented a united front. (Our amazing Commish is very methodical, the right things happen but not overnight.)

— @chiney on X

WNBA expansion is also something that has been in the works for some time.

Expansion has also been in the works the past few years. But again slow & steady wins the race. (I used to get mad at the NWSL bc they move way faster than us. )

We desperately needed more teams and roster spots, but more importantly – we need the right owners to sustain them.

— @chiney on X

It is hard to deny that Caitlin Clark is the catalyst for a lot of change in the WNBA. She is a superstar.

However, Chiney Ogwumike pushed back on Charles Barkley’s opinion that players aren’t grateful for what she has done. Perhaps reality falls somewhere in the middle! It usually does.

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