Sheryl Swoopes' Caitlin Clark comments, explained: Why WNBA legend is feuding with Nancy Lieberman over Fever star

09-03-2024
8 min read
(NBAE via Getty Images)

Basketball Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes is at the center of an ongoing social media feud around Indiana Fever star rookie Caitlin Clark.

Swoopes, who provides color commentary for select Dallas Wings games, was seemingly removed from a Sept. 1 broadcast between Dallas and Indiana. The network's decision was believed to be in response to Swoopes' social media commentary on a flagrant foul Clark received from Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields.

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman took Swoopes' place on the broadcast, using the platform to praise Clark while also seemingly sending a thinly veiled shot toward Swoopes. In the time since, Lieberman directly addressed Swoopes on Stephen A. Smith's eponymous show, further stirring up a conflict between the two legends.

In response, Swoopes has taken to social media to address Lieberman directly while providing clarity on her relationship with and views on Clark. Here is everything you need to know about the situation.

MORE: WNBA playoff picture: Updated standings as Fever, Sky battle for postseason

What did Sheryl Swoopes say about Caitlin Clark?

During a February appearance on Gilbert Arenas' "Gil's Arena" podcast, Swoopes shared that she felt Clark would have a tough time adjusting to the WNBA. While Swoopes' opinion raised eyebrows, it was just that — an opinion.

The controversy stemmed from Swoopes' inaccurate assertion that Clark was set to become the NCAA's all-time leading scorer because she was granted an extra season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If Kelsey Plum set that record in four years, well, Caitlin should’ve broke that record in four years," Swoopes said. "But because there’s a COVID year, and then there’s another year, you know what I mean? So she’s already had an extra year to break that record. So, is it truly a broken record? I don’t know. I don’t think so. But yeah, that’ll go in the record books. And, I don’t think it should be."

Like Plum, Clark needed just four seasons to break the record. She decided to forgo her extra year of eligibility to enter the 2024 WNBA Draft, where she was selected first overall.

In response to recent criticism, Swoopes disclosed a private apology to Clark from February.

"I wanted to personally reach out to you and say I made a mistake on what year this is for you," Swoopes wrote. "Covid year has me all confused...Lol! I also have nothing but respect for you and your game and appreciate your skill. Congrats on everything you have accomplished thus far. Be blessed"

The cordial exchange also included Clark thanking Swoopes for being an inspiration as the two complimented one another.

Since then, Swoopes has provided analysis on Clark's Fever, Angel Reese's Chicago Sky and the other 10 teams in the league. Swoopes made headlines in late July when she picked Reese as Rookie of the Year over Clark, but the breadth of her comments was taken out of context due to the clipped podcast segment.

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While Reese was Swoopes' selection at the time, she was also complimentary of Clark during the podcast. The newest chapter of the situation would come just one month later.

MORE: Comparing the WNBA rookie seasons of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

Why is Sheryl Swoopes feuding with Nancy Lieberman?

After DeShields' flagrant foul on Clark Friday, Swoopes took to X (formerly Twitter) to send an encouraging message to the Sky guard.

"[H]ead up kid! Hate will not win!!" Swoopes said. "You are covered and ain't nothing these evil people can do about that. All love for you!"

DeShields, whose playing career was in jeopardy after a 2019 MRI revealed a tumor in her spine, was on the receiving end of hateful comments after her foul on Clark. While Swoopes' message could be interpreted as support for DeShields given her journey, the Hall of Famer was removed from the broadcast shortly after.

During Sunday's broadcast, Lieberman took an opportunity to praise Clark while speaking out against the Fever star's haters.

"What Caitlin Clark has done for the game is generational," Lieberman began. "As a baller to a baller, I just want to say thank you to you, Caitlin Clark for just lifting our game up — you and so many great players.

"What you're doing — you're going to make all of these women multimillionaires one day. Like Tiger [Woods] did, like Michael Jordan did. And we shouldn't hate on her, we should celebrate her. Not tolerate her."

After many speculated whether or not the comments were a dig at Swoopes, Lieberman addressed Swoopes directly when speaking with Smith one day later. Lieberman recalled a February conversation with Swoopes about the incorrect stance on Clark's eligibility.

"She got upset with me on the phone, and I was like 'Sheryl, I'm not doing anything to hurt you, I'm just sharing.'" Lieberman said in a clip shared on X. "Our relationship pretty much is not happening at this point. I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, she wouldn't talk to me.

"My life's going to be good — or great — with or without Sheryl Swoopes in my life. I would rather have her in it."

Sheryl Swoopes leaks Caitlin Clark screenshot

In a direct response, Swoopes responded by echoing part of Lieberman's message and insinuating that she and Smith were angling for an agenda or a reaction.

After the back-and-forth, Swoopes has been active on her timeline while WNBA Twitter continues to follow the saga between two legends of women's basketball and the game's newest star.