Michelle Obama weighs in on Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese WNBA rivalry

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Former first woman Michelle Obama weighed in on the WNBA rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese for the primary time.

Throughout an look on the podcast "All of the Smoke with Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson," Obama spoke throughout a bunch dialogue in regards to the influence of the Clark-Reese drama on the WNBA's reputation, the influence on the gamers' well-beings and "hate" concerned.

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Angel Reese, #5 of the Chicago Sky, and Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, look on through the second half in opposition to the Chicago Sky on June 23, 2024, at Wintrust Area in Chicago, Illinois. (Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)

"I feel the robust factor is the social media ingredient to it. However that is true throughout the board. I imply, we have talked about this on our present; it simply takes a traditional incidence. These younger youngsters at the moment, what they should undergo, what they've to have the ability to stand up to, as a result of social media is such an enormous a part of the world," Obama stated.

"There's the hate. However now the hate is in your room, in your cellphone, with you on a regular basis. And you may't, for no matter purpose, inform these youngsters to show it off, as a result of they're making their dwelling that method. I imply, now they're anticipated to remain engaged. So, I feel that makes it really feel even worse. However I feel, as you level out, that is occurring in sports activities throughout gender. It is simply tougher to not stand up to different individuals's horrible, horrible opinions."

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Former First Girl of the US Michelle Obama attends Opening Evening celebrating '50 years of equal pay' throughout Day One of many 2023 US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium on the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart on August 28, 2023. (Picture by Jean Catuffe/GC Pictures) (Picture by Jean Catuffe/GC Pictures.)

The rivalry between Clark and Reese was renewed of their first sport of the 2025 season on Might 17. Clark's Indiana Fever defeated Reese's Chicago Sky 93-58, and Clark was known as for a flagrant foul after a defensive play in opposition to Reese.

The WNBA introduced after the sport that it might be launching an investigation into alleged "racist" feedback directed at Reese, however couldn't substantiate the allegations.

The 2 haven't performed one another since that Might 17 sport, as each have handled accidents all through the season.

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Chicago Sky ahead Angel Reese (5) reacts after being fouled by Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in Might; Michelle Obama speaks through the Democratic Nationwide Conference (DNC) on the United Heart in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Getty Pictures)

In the meantime, Obama not too long ago made headlines with one other sports-related opinion, when she in contrast ESPN to actuality TV throughout an episode of her brother's podcast "IMO" in July.

"It’s all a sociological research. They suppose that sports activities is healthier actuality TV, I’m like, ‘It’s the identical factor.' If I take heed to ESPN for an hour, it’s like watching the ‘Actual Housewives of Atlanta,’ ?" Obama stated. "It’s the identical drama, they usually’re yelling at one another, they usually don’t get alongside, ? I imply, Stephen A. Smith, he’s identical to each different. . . ."

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities author for Fox Information Digital. He beforehand labored for ESPN and Enterprise Insider. Jackson has lined the Tremendous Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.