The former FS1 host opens up about his struggle with praising the rising basketball star, fearing racial backlash
Skip Bayless, the once-controversial sports pundit, now finds himself out of the spotlight and, apparently, feeling guilty for cheering on one of college basketball’s rising stars, Caitlin Clark. During a recent episode of “The Skip Bayless Show,” the 72-year-old opened up about his internal struggle with celebrating Clark’s success, revealing that her being white played a major role in his hesitation.
Bayless, who’s never been shy about his hot takes, confessed that the dynamic between Clark and Angel Reese made him question his own motives. He admitted that while Clark’s undeniable talent made her worthy of praise, he felt uncomfortable publicly acknowledging it, fearing the racial implications. “I didn’t want to be the guy who looked like a red-state white man rooting for a red-state white girl,” he shared, adding that America’s racial divide weighed heavily on his decision to stay silent.
Skip Bayless on Caitlin Clark:
“Caitlin Clark is becoming the Best Player in the league, not bcz she’s white, bcz she’s THAT GOOD. She’s color-blind good, she’s guilt-free good, she’s apolitically good”
(via @SkipBaylessShow)#WNBA #FeverRising pic.twitter.com/vFaEzD7C9K
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) September 12, 2024
The former FS1 host delved deeper into the complexity of his feelings, admitting that Clark had been seen by some as a “right-wing symbol” due to her success in a sport historically dominated by Black athletes. “It felt like saying anything positive about her could be twisted into something political, and that’s the last thing I wanted,” Bayless explained. “I didn’t want to fuel any white supremacy narrative.”
However, Bayless was quick to point out that his reservations had nothing to do with Clark’s actual beliefs, as she’s avoided making any political statements in her rookie year. He emphasized that his concerns stemmed from the broader perception in a sport where Black athletes have long been the stars. “Basketball has been a source of pride for the Black community for generations, and I didn’t want to disrupt that narrative,” Bayless said.
Yet, Bayless’s candid reflections have come at a time when his career is in limbo. Following his departure from FS1, where ratings for “Undisputed” plummeted to as low as 40,000 viewers, the sports media veteran is clearly searching for a way back into the industry. With ESPN already dismissing any interest in his return, and his podcast struggling to gain traction, Bayless may be hoping this vulnerable moment will reignite his career.
Critics call Bayless’s ‘white guilt’ admission a desperate career move
Some critics, however, aren’t buying Bayless’s sudden self-awareness. They argue that his comments are a desperate attempt to remain relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape. “It looks like he’s auditioning for a new gig by embracing white guilt,” one commentator speculated. “Maybe he’s hoping platforms like Peacock or Roku will take notice.”
Others have pointed out that Bayless’s recent remarks only add to a growing list of questionable takes throughout his career. From backing Robert Griffin III over Andrew Luck to downplaying the talents of European NBA stars like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, some fans believe Bayless has often leaned into contrarian opinions to stir controversy. Could his guilt over praising Clark be just another chapter in this playbook?
Skip Bayless is delusional. Larry Bird took the Celtics from 2nd worst record in the league to best record in the entire league. Ironically her game is like Trae Young who he hates. She has no chance of ever being as good as A’ja Wilson. pic.twitter.com/kAlZTjCoUe
— Truth Bearer (@TruthBearer22) September 12, 2024
Bayless’s willingness to openly grapple with his whiteness in the context of sports has sparked heated conversations online. While some appreciate his honesty, others see it as performative. “It’s hard to take him seriously when he’s spent years making polarizing statements,” one fan tweeted. “Now he wants to apologize?”
Only time will tell if Bayless’s confession will be enough to revive his career. For now, though, he remains on the outside looking in, still hoping to find his next big break.
source:marca.com
