USA Today has issued a correction after a story incorrectly stated that WNBA star Caitlin Clark missed league All-Star festivities to "get her hair done." The outlet faced significant backlash on social media after publishing a report asserting that the Indiana Fever guard opted out of the WNBA's Orange Carpet event to visit a hair salon in her hometown of Des Moines.
In reality, Clark, 24, missed the event to host a charity dinner for her own non-profit organization, the Caitlin Clark Foundation. The publication's initial story was based on an Instagram post from Clark's hairstylist showcasing her new curls, which the outlet assumed was the sole reason for her absence.
Following widespread criticism and a community note added on X (formerly Twitter) pointing out the inaccuracy, USA Today updated its reporting. "Clarification: Caitlin Clark was attending an event for the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which is why she missed the WNBA All-Star Weekend Orange Carpet," the outlet stated on social media.
This marks the second notable controversy involving USA Today and Clark in recent weeks. Earlier, the publication faced criticism for an opinion column by Nancy Armour that drew a comparison to Emmett Till while discussing Clark's on-court play and the reactions to her from other WNBA players. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy was among those who criticized Armour's column, calling it the "dumbest paragraph...in the history of sports."
These incidents coincide with Clark's own comments to ESPN, where she expressed frustration with media portrayals. "I think there's just like a false characterization of who I am sometimes," Clark told ESPN's Malika Andrews. "I get people have a job to do, but at the same time, don't make accusations about my character and who I am when you don't know me."
Clark also stated in the interview that she is "emotionally exhausted" and drained by the constant controversy surrounding her. "When I walk out of the locker room, I shouldn't be not fearful of what the conversation is gonna be... it's emotionally exhausting. It's draining," she said. "It makes your shoulders tense. Because, you know, people don't wanna talk about the basketball. They just wanna stir it up and make something else."