Stephen A. Smith FURIOUS At WNBA Over Caitlin Clark LPGA Deal!

Sports media titan Stephen A. Smith has once again lit up the airwaves — this time directing his outrage squarely at the WNBA following news that superstar guard Caitlin Clark inked a groundbreaking promotional partnership with the LPGA. Smith, never one to hold back, blasted the league during a heated segment of First Take, accusing the WNBA of “failing to properly capitalize” on Clark’s immense star power and allowing outside organizations to “cash in” where the league should be leading.

“This is ridiculous!” Smith shouted during his Monday morning rant. “You’ve got Caitlin Clark — the biggest thing women’s basketball has seen in decades — and somehow the LPGA is getting to her before the WNBA fully figures out how to build her brand within their own league? That’s on them! That’s mismanagement!”

The controversy stems from Clark’s new partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association, which will reportedly feature her in several marketing campaigns promoting women’s sports unity and cross-league collaboration. While many fans applauded the deal as a positive move for women’s athletics overall, Smith wasn’t impressed. He argued that the WNBA should have been the primary driver of Clark’s sponsorship narrative, not a “completely separate league with no basketball connection.”

“This woman is selling out arenas,” Smith continued. “She’s bringing in new fans, new eyes, new energy. And instead of the WNBA locking in every possible deal to showcase her as the face of their league, someone else comes in and beats them to it. It’s embarrassing.”

Clark’s partnership reportedly includes appearances at select LPGA events, social media cross-promotions, and charity golf initiatives aimed at empowering young female athletes. According to insiders, the deal was negotiated independently from her WNBA contract, though league officials were informed of the arrangement.

The WNBA has not issued an official statement in response to Smith’s comments, but several media figures quickly pushed back against his claims. ESPN analyst Monica McNutt argued that the collaboration represented “a win for women’s sports as a whole,” emphasizing that Clark’s appeal transcends basketball. “This isn’t a competition,” McNutt said. “It’s about visibility, growth, and breaking boundaries.”

Still, Smith’s criticism resonated with a segment of fans who believe the WNBA has struggled to fully leverage Clark’s marketability since her record-breaking rookie season. Despite increased viewership and sold-out arenas, some argue the league has yet to capitalize on her mainstream influence to the extent the NBA once did with stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

Clark herself has remained silent amid the uproar, posting only a brief message on social media thanking the LPGA for “believing in collaboration and women supporting women.”

As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: wherever Caitlin Clark goes, headlines follow — and Stephen A. Smith will always be there to make sure the world hears about it.