Sports analyst Colin Cowherd has defended Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark following intense backlash over her refusal to take a definitive stance on the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. The controversy intensified after media personality Megyn Kelly publicly labeled Clark a “coward” in a post on X, criticizing the WNBA star for not weighing in on the sensitive social issue.
In an episode of his show “The Herd Live,” Cowherd addressed the “political media” and argued that Clark is under no obligation to share her personal views on complex political topics. Referencing the criticism, Cowherd remarked, “If Caitlin wants to be Bill Bradley someday, great,” suggesting that athletes should not be pressured to act as political figures simply because they are popular.
Clark first addressed the issue on August 2, stating it is up to the “leagues and governing bodies” to handle the controversy, adding that she remains focused on basketball. She was asked to revisit the topic again before the Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Despite the pressure, Cowherd maintained that Clark has the right to refrain from sharing personal opinions on off-court matters.
Cowherd is not the only high-profile figure to support the WNBA star. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy and Texas Senator Ted Cruz have also defended Clark’s neutral stance. They argued that, despite being the league’s most popular player, she is not required to engage in public debates on social issues, reinforcing the sentiment that her primary focus should remain on her professional performance on the court.
