Reporter Slamming Caitlin Clark’s ESPN Appearance 2 Days After WNBA Playoff Exit Gets Flamed – “Should She Be At Home Crying?”

Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever's season ended at the hands of the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs.

Reporter Slamming Caitlin Clark’s ESPN Appearance 2 Days After WNBA Playoff Exit Gets Flamed – “Should She Be At Home Crying?”

Pat McAfee and Caitlin Clark (Image via ESPN/X)

This was the second straight season in a row when Caitlin Clark made it clear that she and her Indiana Fever were going to fight to win the WNBA championship. This was also the second straight time they stopped short of their goal.

Last season could be passed off as one where lady luck did not shine on the team. Season-ending injuries to Clark and several others ended their chances in 2025. Then, this past offseason, the team tried to keep most of the core, while also bringing in some new faces.

However, there were many die-hard fans who pointed out that the 2026 edition of the team had serious deficiencies when it came to team construction and needs.

Those problems ended up being the reason why the Fever finished sixth in the regular season and then were booted out by the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs.

Such an exit should be heartbreaking for someone as competitive as Caitlin Clark. That is why a reporter, Jason Page, did not appreciate it when he saw the superstar point guard on ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the Big Ten clash between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Since the game was the biggest of her alma mater’s regular season, it was the best chance for her to promote her just-launched Caitlin 1 signature shoe. However, Page felt that her smiling and spending quality time with Pat McAfee and the crew just two days after the first-round exit bothered him.

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Fans tear into reporter for suggesting Caitlin Clark should be sulking

Basketball fans can understand the fact that a player shouldn’t joke and laugh a couple of days after a disappointing end to their season. However, what they could not understand is why the reporter was flaming Caitlin Clark for doing what is necessary to market her shoe.

They pointed out that the 24-year-old took advantage of the schedule to promote what is a life-changing deal for her. Moreover, the Fever guard did not just spend time with Pat McAfee and the Hawkeyes fans; she also went to meet children at the university-run hospital.

Fans felt that this outrage was unnecessary, considering that every athlete has a life outside of their sport, and the latter need not stop them from enjoying the other aspects of their lives. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Caitlin Clark did not even attend the Indiana Fever’s season-ending exit interviews, and might not do so considering she is dedicated to promoting her signature shoe at every opportunity.

Therefore, there is a chance the three-time All-Star will appear on several more platforms and keep her trademark smile on full display.

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Caitlin Clark and Nike working on her second signature shoe

Caitlin Clark might not have travelled back to Iowa to promote her first signature shoe if it was not that important for either her brand or the future of Nike.

Caitlin Clark with her shoes
Caitlin Clark with her shoes (Image via Just Fresh Kicks/X)

The sportswear giant is banking on the Caitlin 1 to help steer them back towards success, after years of struggling amid rising competition. They already earmarked more pairs than any other signature shoe in history to be available at launch, proving that the conglomerate is betting big on the Fever superstar’s massive fame.

At the same time, Clark revealed that her next signature shoe is already in the design phase. That is not an uncommon strategy for Nike, considering they have done the same with A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu in recent years.

But what will matter is how well the first one does. By now, there are rumors that Caitlin Clark’s fame is working out for Nike, as her shoes have been selling out faster than anything from their shelves in recent history. Therefore, even before her possible global promotional tour, they have committed to the next one.

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