Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has strongly criticized a USA Today columnist whose recent article suggested that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's interactions with referees could incite racist abuse against WNBA players.
In a column published Thursday, USA Today writer Nancy Armour argued that some of Clark's supporters interpret her disputes with officials as a manifestation of a "White nationalist element" that then targets other WNBA players, particularly Black and queer athletes. Armour drew a parallel to the country's history of violence against Black people, referencing the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till and noting the WNBA All-Star Game's location in Chicago, Till's hometown.
Portnoy denounced Armour's commentary on social media, labeling it the "dumbest" sports paragraph he had ever encountered. "She has written the dumbest paragraph not only of my lifetime but in the history of sports," Portnoy stated. "This is an article that says @CaitlinClark22 arguing calls has become dangerous for the @wnba and civil rights. Nancy Armour should be out in a straight jacket and locked up. We can’t have these types of smooth brains roaming freely in society."
Armour's column cited a racist message received by Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray following a game against the Indiana Fever as an example of the abuse directed at players. The employee who sent the message was subsequently fired.
Other media figures and commentators also weighed in on Armour's column. Sports analyst Sam Vecenie questioned the editorial process that allowed the passage to be published, describing it as "insane." OutKick founder Clay Travis criticized USA Today for publishing the column, and political commentators Stephen L. Miller and Gina Milan condemned Armour's comparison to Emmett Till.
In response to the backlash, USA Today updated the column for clarity. A spokesperson stated that Armour had addressed the matter and that the publication would not comment further. Armour acknowledged that her comparison to Emmett Till was "inartful" and lacked sufficient context but maintained her core argument about the threats faced by WNBA players. She explained her intention was to connect WNBA issues with the All-Star Game being held in Chicago, Till's hometown, but admitted she did not provide enough context.
Caitlin Clark has previously spoken out against abuse directed at players, coaches, and officials. The WNBA and its players' union recently announced enhanced security measures in response to concerns about racist and abusive messages targeting players.