Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Team USA’s Olympic Roster, Advocates for Caitlin Clark
ESPN’s outspoken analyst Stephen A. Smith has voiced strong criticism regarding Team USA Women’s Basketball’s roster decisions for the upcoming Olympics. Smith, known for his fiery commentary on ESPN’s First Take, believes Caitlin Clark is the missing piece for the team and has blasted the officials for not including her in the lineup.
Despite Team USA’s impressive performance so far, securing a spot in the next round before facing Germany, Smith argues that Clark’s presence could have elevated the team’s impact even further. “How does it feel, Team USA? To have six games, four of them drew over 20,000, and the one that didn’t still drew 2,000 more than you,” Smith remarked, emphasizing the potential fan engagement Clark could have brought.
Smith highlighted the marketing and business aspects of sports, suggesting that Clark’s inclusion would have significantly boosted viewership and ratings. “See, we want to play like marketing and business don’t play a role in all of us. Have you ever been to the Olympics? Do you know that they’ll remove you from events if they have a sponsorship from Coca-Cola and you drink Pepsi?” he questioned, drawing on his own experiences covering the Olympics.
Smith’s passionate critique extends beyond basketball, reflecting his discontent with the Olympics’ overall treatment of the media and its commercial priorities. “I’m not talking about the competition; I’m talking about the way the Olympics treat people, particularly the media. I can’t stand it. You have no rights. Everything is so restrictive. Because you’re doing business with everybody, and you’re milking every penny for all its worth, every chance you get.”
While Team USA prepares for its next match, the debate over roster decisions and Clark’s potential impact continues to resonate, fueled by Smith’s pointed remarks.
