She had it all—a Hall of Fame career, a broadcast seat, and influence. But one name changed everything: Caitlin Clark. Now, Sheryl Swoopes is out, and the full story behind her downfall is more brutal than anyone imagined.
In a move that has rocked the WNBA and set social media ablaze, Sheryl Swoopes—once hailed as the league’s golden standard—has been officially removed from all WNBA broadcasts for the 2025 season. The reason? A year-long pattern of bitter commentary, misinformation, and what insiders call a “calculated campaign” against the league’s biggest rising star: Caitlin Clark.
What started as a few dismissive comments has unraveled into one of the most shocking professional downfalls in recent women’s sports history.
From Trailblazer to Trouble
Sheryl Swoopes is no stranger to breaking barriers. A three-time WNBA MVP, Olympic gold medalist, and the first player signed to the WNBA in 1996, her name was once synonymous with excellence. But as her post-playing career shifted into broadcasting, her tone began to change—and not for the better.
According to network insiders, Swoopes’ commentary began to draw concern as early as late 2023. The issue? Her refusal to acknowledge, let alone support, Caitlin Clark’s record-breaking ascent. What could have been a moment for two generations to celebrate each other turned into a simmering feud that played out in slow, painful motion.
During a February 2024 appearance on “Gill’s Arena,” Swoopes claimed Clark had taken “40 shots a game” and falsely stated that she was in her fifth season of college play. Neither was true—Clark averaged just over 22 shots, and 2024 was her fourth season.
“They weren’t mistakes,” said one league executive on condition of anonymity. “They were character assassinations wrapped in commentary.”
The WNBA has spent years fighting for visibility. Clark was bringing it—record ratings, sold-out arenas, and mainstream media coverage. But rather than celebrate that growth, Swoopes seemed to bristle at it.
A Pattern Too Clear to Ignore
This wasn’t Swoopes’ first professional misstep.
Back in 2016, she was fired as head coach of Loyola University Chicago’s women’s basketball team after 10 out of 12 players transferred or quit in one season. Multiple players cited an “emotionally toxic environment,” including public shaming, threats of revoked scholarships, and inconsistent behavior.
“She coached like a woman fighting a ghost,” one former player said. “Every success felt like a threat to her.”
And that same pattern repeated in broadcasting.
Time and again, viewers noticed that during live WNBA games, Swoopes struggled to even say Caitlin Clark’s name. Instead, she’d reference “Indiana’s shooters” or “the Fever’s scoring leader,” almost as if Clark didn’t exist. Fans noticed. So did the front office.
But it was one broadcast in late April that sealed her fate.
During a Fever–Sky game, Swoopes allegedly ignored Clark’s 38-point performance entirely until a co-commentator brought it up with just 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
“She looked uncomfortable,” one media insider said. “Like acknowledging Clark’s talent was physically painful for her.”
The Final Straw: A Feud Gone Public
It wasn’t just fans taking notice.
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith launched a blistering on-air takedown of Swoopes’ silence.
“You know basketball better than most men who ever played it,” Smith said. “So when you exclude Caitlin Clark from a conversation about her own team, we’re not calling it an oversight—we’re calling it what it is: professional jealousy.”
Then came Nancy Lieberman. The WNBA legend and former broadcaster reportedly confronted Swoopes behind the scenes and later replaced her on the Dallas Wings broadcast team. The message was clear: there was no more room for drama when the league was finally experiencing a breakthrough.
Lieberman, who helped pioneer women’s basketball in her own right, was “devastated” by what she saw as “a generational disconnect.”
“She could have lifted this moment up,” Lieberman reportedly said. “Instead, she tried to tear it down.”
Fired—Officially and Publicly
On May 6, the WNBA’s media partner confirmed the decision.
“Sheryl Swoopes will not be returning to WNBA TV or affiliated broadcasts for the 2025 season,” the short release read. “We thank her for her service and wish her the best.”
It was brief—but the implications were massive.
Social media erupted. “#TeamClark” trended worldwide. “She had it coming,” one user tweeted. “Her hate outshined her legacy.”
Swoopes has yet to issue a formal statement. Her last public appearance—a podcast episode two weeks before the announcement—ended abruptly when a caller asked her about Clark’s recent Nike deal.
She disconnected within seconds.
What This Means for the WNBA
This scandal has done more than tarnish a Hall of Famer’s reputation. It’s forced the league to confront how it handles generational transitions. In the age of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and a new wave of crossover superstars, the WNBA is growing faster than ever.
Clark’s presence alone has tripled viewership and brought in brand-new sponsors. The league is suddenly fashionable. But for that evolution to succeed, it has to shed old grudges.
And that may be the most painful lesson of all.
What’s Next?
There are whispers that Swoopes might launch her own podcast series to “tell her side of the story.” But damage has already been done—and Clark has said nothing.
And that silence?
That’s what’s making the league—and its legends—look in the mirror.
Subscribe to follow this story as it unfolds. Has the WNBA finally chosen the future over the past? Or is this just the start of something bigger?
