Caitlin Clark returned to Iowa on Saturday to promote her new Nike shoe and make selections on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” The show achieved its highest October ratings in its 40-season history. Yet, hosts of “The Sports Gossip Show,” Charlotte Wilder and Madeline Hill, raised questions about her appearance alongside Pat McAfee.
Wilder suggested that Clark needed to improve her own public relations. Despite contributing to a record-breaking viewership and promoting her shoe, Wilder questioned Clark’s decision to share a stage with McAfee. McAfee had previously called Clark a “white” during his show in 2024, an act he clarified as a compliment, defending Clark from racial critiques suggesting her popularity was solely due to her race. He apologized, and Clark accepted the apology.
Wilder referenced expectations on Clark to frequently denounce racism, something she has addressed multiple times. Clark explicitly condemned racism and stated, “Those aren’t fans, those are trolls.” Wilder accused Clark of not being forceful enough. Clark’s responses to racial issues in September 2024, May 2025, and July 2026 refute this allegation.
The critique extended to discussions involving Kelsey Mitchell’s comments on attention around the Fever. Despite such scrutiny, Mitchell’s WNBA salary increased significantly. Clark’s influence helped expand the league’s audience, indirectly benefitting players financially.
Clark’s branding extends through associations with State Farm and Gatorade. Her first Nike shoe almost sold out online shortly after its launch. Despite her success, the podcast hosts implied her PR needs improvement. The “GameDay” episode featuring Clark saw 3.7 million viewers. Comparatively, “The Sports Gossip Show” averaged only 7,200 YouTube views across 39 episodes.
The critique appeared overly scrutinized, considering Clark’s widespread popularity. Her contributions to promoting women’s sports and engaging a broader audience are evident through tangible achievements like record viewership and increased brand collaborations.