Ryan Clark, a former ESPN personality now hosting the "Pivot" podcast, has drawn criticism for remarks made about Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham. The discussion, noted by OutKick, centers on Cunningham's public statements and her performance as a basketball player.
Clark, who was laid off from ESPN in July 2026, used his podcast to comment on players he deemed distractions, without naming Cunningham directly. He suggested that athletes not averaging double-digit points should not be the focus of media attention or engage in non-basketball-related discussions. "We're seeing players who don't even average 10 points a game, and that's who's on your networks and TVs, answering questions and starting back and forths about things that aren't basketball," Clark stated.
Cunningham, known for her role in supporting women's sports and her vocal stance on issues like transgender athletes in female divisions, had previously gained attention for her defense of Caitlin Clark. She also recently had one of her best games of the season, scoring 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, all three-pointers, with a +17 plus/minus rating in an Indiana Fever win. Cunningham is currently second in the WNBA in three-point shooting percentage at 45.5%.
Dan Dakich, host of "Outkick," praised Cunningham for her outspokenness on protecting women's sports, noting increased fan support for her. The commentary arises amid a broader national conversation about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports.
Clark's remarks have been interpreted by some as an attempt to deflect from issues he perceives as unrelated to the game itself, while others view Cunningham's statements as relevant to the broader context of women's athletics and athlete advocacy. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in sports media regarding athlete commentary on social issues versus on-court performance.