An ESPN writer, David Dennis Jr., recently expressed satisfaction over Caitlin Clark’s elimination from the WNBA playoffs. He shared a photo of himself smiling online and wrote a thread criticizing Clark as overrated. Dennis reiterated his past assertion that Clark is not a top four guard in the WNBA and stated that the postseason proved him correct.

“Let the record reflect that I was 100% right here as well. Because yes we did talk about winning and my concerns about her game translating to winning,” Dennis wrote. He seemed to take delight in Clark’s team exit in the first round, pointing to it as evidence to question her performance.

For context, Caitlin Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, lost to the Las Vegas Aces, a team favored to win their fourth championship in five years. Calling Clark’s exit “bounced in the first round” oversimplifies the situation. Clark performed well, making WNBA history by scoring over 25 points and making 15 assists in a single game. Her efforts were not the reason for the team’s loss to a much stronger opponent.

Those unfamiliar with Dennis might question why an ESPN employee would celebrate the loss of one of the league’s major attractions. It’s akin to an NBC personality mocking the Chiefs’ or Cowboys’ playoff elimination in a year when NBC airs the Super Bowl.

To explain, David Dennis Jr. is known for his controversial takes. In the past, he urged Caitlin Clark fans, a significant portion of the WNBA audience, to stop watching. Dennis joined ESPN in 2021 as part of the network’s initiative to emphasize racial diversity and representation.

Dennis’s actions follow a controversial pattern. Last year, he criticized Sydney Sweeney’s advertisement for American Eagle, claiming it promoted eugenics. He seems to have a contentious stance towards successful White women like Clark, Sweeney, and Sophie Cunningham. Following the example of commentators like Jemele Hill and Bomani Jones, Dennis’s approach appears divisive.

An incident involving ESPN and Dennis has drawn attention, suggesting that his accusations of racism might protect his employment for a few more years. Another personality, Jessica Smetana, also ridiculed the Fever’s loss, likening watching Sophie Cunningham play to enduring a prison sentence. Smetana, like Dennis, appears embittered.

Such commentators continue to assert that Black lesbian women face undue media scrutiny. However, these claims contrast with their actions toward Clark and Cunningham.

Bobby Burack of OutKick provided this commentary.