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A women's group has called for Pat McAfee to be fired from ESPN after he referred to Caitlin Clark as a "White B-" during his show on Monday. McAfee was discussing the uptick in WNBA interest and attributed it solely to Clark's arrival. However, his choice of words was regrettable.
In response, McAfee apologized and reached out to Clark, who accepted the apology. Despite this, UltraViolet, a leading gender justice organization, believes the apology is "insufficient" and is demanding that ESPN terminate McAfee's contract. They also want the network to take steps to ensure that sexist and racist remarks are never made on air and to improve their coverage of women's sports in an unbiased way.
In a lengthy statement, UltraViolet expressed their stance on the matter, stating, "Pat McAfee's apology for his racist and sexist comments about Caitlin Clark and other WNBA players is insufficient. The simple reality is that even if McAfee meant what he said as a compliment - he should know that referring to any professional athlete with a misogynistic or racial epithet is never a compliment and shouldn't be done."
The organization emphasized the broader impact of McAfee's words, highlighting the need for ability in addressing such issues. They also underscored the importance of respectful language in discussing professional athletes, especially when it comes to women in sports.
Ultraviolet demands ESPN to take action
The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of women in sports and the responsibility of media personalities in shaping public discourse. UltraViolet's statement reflects a growing demand for ability and sensitivity in how sports commentators discuss and cover women's athletics.
In response to the controversy, ESPN has yet to make a public statement regarding McAfee's future with the network. The situation has ignited discussions about the impact of language and the representation of female athletes in the media.
The incident serves as a reminder of the need for greater awareness and sensitivity when discussing women in sports. It also underscores the importance of holding individuals able for their words and actions, especially in a public platform like sports media.