Caitlin Clark Did Not File a Defamation Lawsuit Against ESPN’s Monica McNutt…
A false rumor claiming WNBA star Caitlin Clark filed a defamation lawsuit against ESPN analyst Monica McNutt surfaced online following a controversial WNBA game. The claim rapidly circulated on social media in early June 2025, alleging that Clark was taking legal action over months of McNutt’s commentary.
Caitlin Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a first-round pick for the Indiana Fever, has gained significant media attention since her college basketball career. Her fame fueled the spread of the false narrative, especially after the Fever’s season opener against the Chicago Sky on May 17, 2025. Various Facebook posts falsely reported that Clark had finally responded to being misrepresented by suing McNutt, sparking widespread speculation.
However, there is no truth to these reports. A search of Indiana court records and reputable news sources yielded no evidence of such a lawsuit. Given Clark’s celebrity status and ESPN’s prominence, a real defamation case would have made headlines across major media outlets.
Legal experts also note that a defamation case under these circumstances would likely lack sufficient grounds, as outlined by Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute. Snopes reached out to representatives from the Indiana Fever, the WNBA, and ESPN, and will provide updates if responses are received.
The rumor appears to have stemmed from McNutt’s on-air commentary about the Fever vs. Sky game. During the game, Clark was issued a flagrant foul for striking Angel Reese’s arm, causing Reese to fall. After the altercation, referees upgraded Clark’s personal foul, and both Reese and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston received technical fouls.
Both players downplayed the incident in postgame interviews, describing it as a typical in-game moment. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Clark and Reese—dating back to their college years—has remained a prominent storyline in women’s basketball. McNutt, like other analysts, has regularly discussed both athletes in her coverage.
In a March 2025 BBC News interview, McNutt made comments that some interpreted as socially and racially charged, noting how Clark’s identity—“a white girl from middle America”—had symbolic significance to many fans, regardless of Clark’s own beliefs.
McNutt’s remarks on ESPN’s “Get Up” on May 19, 2025, are believed to have intensified the lawsuit rumor. She commented on the public reactions to the Clark-Reese confrontation, highlighting how racial perceptions influence narratives in sports. McNutt urged viewers to recognize the equal competitiveness of both players and questioned whether reactions would differ if roles had been reversed.
The WNBA and its players’ association responded to the aftermath of the May 17 game, referencing reports of inappropriate fan behavior. On May 18, the WNBPA posted a statement reaffirming their commitment to the league’s “No Space for Hate” policy, which aims to combat discrimination in all WNBA environments. However, the league later confirmed it couldn’t verify the reports of racist conduct.
Social media users were divided in response to McNutt’s comments. Some believed she brought necessary attention to racial bias, while others criticized her for focusing on race rather than gameplay.
Basketball commentator Stephen A. Smith also weighed in, stating during an ESPN segment that Reese had initiated the rivalry and that such rivalries ultimately benefit the sport—comparing it to the historic Magic Johnson–Larry Bird rivalry in the NBA.
Regardless of differing opinions on the players or the analyst, there is no factual basis to support the claim that Clark has sued McNutt for defamation.
This isn’t the first false story involving Clark. Previous rumors included claims that she rejected a $1 million offer to appear on The View and that Team USA lost $60 million in endorsements after excluding her from the Olympic roster.
