“Terrible” - Christine Brennan on USA Basketball’s Caitlin Clark Olympics Snub | The Rich Eisen Show 

Caitlin Clark's reaction to the decision was nothing but total class.

To quote the Great American Philosopher, Al Bundy. “Don’t try to understand women, women understand women and they hate each other.”

Egos gone wild. A worldwide disgrace. Disgrace! Thank you, Christine, as always.

I forgot what good journalism until you had Christine on. Thanks so much.

Basketball fans: This will inspire millions of young girls. USA basketball: F 'em.

The WNBA and the Olympic Committee can’t seem to figure out that sports is entertainment. What a bunch of idiots.

That is journalism right there.

Imagine winning the lottery that will pay your entire family tree and not cashing the ticket.

You know you messed up when a Rugby dominated country like NZ is talking about CC. US Womens Basketball is so dumb.

The decision by the WBB Olympic Committee to exclude Caitlin Clark demonstrates how clueless it is to the market forces that makes any endeavor a success or failure. The public wants to see this generational player play! It’s not Caitlin’s fault. Hell will freeze over before I tune in to watch Diana Taurasi and Brittany Griner.

Finally, a sane take on this.

For all of the money that NBC has spent on the Olympics, I’m sure they’re thrilled with this decision. USA Basketball - way to grow your sport: not.

The USA Coach doesn't like CC. Her name is Cheryl Reeve. She tweets shady things about her. Make no mistake this was a personal decision.

You know what's crazy that everyone's talking about Caitlin's Clark snub from the Olympics except for Caitlin Clark.. all this girl is doing is playing ball..God bless her.

Caitlin Clark being denied a spot on the USA Women’s Basketball Team is not only a short-sighted nonsensical business decision but a BIG L for women’s basketball not only in the United States but also globally! If this current roster is the USA Women’s Basketball Olympic Committee’s final decision, no one should ever open their mouth about how unfair it is that women basket ball players are not being paid, and treated equally compared to their male counterparts. You had your chance but because of ignorance, pettiness, and jealousy, you blew it! There is no one else to blame but yourselves! We don’t want to hear anymore of your whinning!

from the UK... I have Never watched a female Olympics basket ball game. I was looking into tickets to take my family to Disney during the Olympics and take my son and daughter to see Team USA to watch Caitlin live... because its one of those things you want to say you saw. I watched Gareth Bale's last soccer game in the UK before he joined Real Madrid. I watched Sachin Tendulkar bat in his last game for India in the UK. My dad took me to watch Raiders play Saints at Wembley stadium and I saw one of Marcus Allen's last games for the S&B. I wanted one of those moments for my kids. The WORLD wants this. Its horrific.

Wow. The board and coach of women’s Olympics needs to be fired.

Great point at missing not only a US rating, but international recognition

Dianna does not like Caitlin Clark. CC got all sponsors and commercial. Dianna is jealousy.

Only three NBA teams have had more games televised than the Indiana Fever this year in Europe. That says something. IN EUROPE!

So let me get this straight. The reason the WNBA is about to lose out on A huge marketing opportunity with "Caitlyn Clark" on the USA Roster, Is because of A jealous coach? Smh

US Women’s basketball: Being given a winning Powerball Jackpot ticket… and tearing it up… indignantly!!! Corporate America will be losing countless MILLIONS of dollars, if this stands. It won’t stand. Corporate America will flex its muscles. CC will be there on the squad.

People think CC is popular in America only that young lady is loved worldwide

You already know the other women didn’t want her on the team!! That’s the real reason!! Jealous much ??😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

Honestly, I would love for CC to sign a huge contract with a team in another country and just watch what happens to the wNBA ratings and interest.

Watching CC sign autographs for fans is ❤warning and genuine.

Nike, Wilson, Gatorade, State Farm, NBC, etc etc will have the final say in this. By June 24th, her name will be on the list, take that to the bank. I just hope Clark says "no, thanks..I'd rather rest and play golf."

Yikes the coach of the Olympics team this year tweeted the same pettiness ? 😂😂

Even when Caitlin is not playing she elevates the interest of women’s basketball. Just phenomenal.

I am reminded of what Iowa's coach Bluder used to tell CC's teammates, "When Caitlin's light shines, it shines on all of us."

I’m in China and even I started watching WNBA because of CC.

No one is meaner to women than other women. Jealous haters. Give the people what they want!!!

With Clark on the team I wouldn’t miss a game without her it’s the same thing for the past 40 years I’m not watching the ladies although I will always support all the us olympians I’m just not going to focus on women’s basketball. Swimming, track,gymnastics and men’s basketball are my interests for the Olympics if Clark was on it I would have them on my to watch list. And besides the world wants to see her.

Some of the online chatter is trying to claim Caitlin isn't good enough to make the team, which is ironic considering that one of the point guards selected has been out with injury since October and has no timeline for return.

Caitlin Clark against the entire WNBA machine, the saga continues. I guess those in women's basketball just don't understand the basic notion of inclusivity. Clark is every bit as talented as anyone on that roster. Her numbers as a rookie prove her worth, even despite the resistance she's received in the form of unprecedented defensive attention, complete lack of favor and protection from referees, lack of support from teammates and coaches, and the most brutal opening schedule in the history of the league. She's statistically better in every category than Diana Taurasi, and infinitely better than her teammate Boston, who I root for.

Cheryl Reeve should be fired. Her tweets are evidence that she was not making decisions based on talent or what was best for the team.

Imagine she goes to WATCH in the stands and all the attention still on her 😂

I took most of the uproar as clickbait, but Brennan’s comments about the international interest really tells me that the wnba isn’t really seeing the global potential. I’ll admit I didn’t realize CC was international either. What a wonderful opportunity lost for everyone to shine.

I have nothing but respect for Christine Brennan, and have for years. I’ll listen to any podcast or RU-vid clip that features her. And I agree with her 100% on this issue. Having Ms. Clark on the team would NOT have been the difference, between winning Gold or not in Paris. But it WOULD have brought MILLIONS of eyeballs to Women’s Olympic Basketball this summer, that now will be lost. And NBC and Peacock will lose MILLIONS of dollars in ad revenue from Clark’s sponsors, like Nike and State Farm. But worst of all, is that the momentum that’s been building for women’s basketball in general, will now be lost. And what people are losing sight of, is 2 things: First, Magic Johnson was put by USA Basketball on the Dream Team…at a time he wasn’t even in the NBA any longer. So all the talk about “earning” your spot on the Olympic roster with your play in the league, is nonsense. (And BTW I love Magic and agreed with the decision.) And second, what about “a rising tide lifts all boats”? People would have tuned in to watch Ms. Clark, and some would stick around and might have been lifetime WNBA fans. Why not “leverage” her popularity, to improve everyone’s earning power & quality of life - like Tiger Woods did for the average pro golfer’s net worth, and MJ did for the average NBA salary? And last but not least, Diana Taurasi is my favorite women’s basketball player…and was she on the 2004 Olympic team as a “rookie”? Go look it up - but you know the answer. So the reason so many of us agree with Ms. Brennan, is that every straw man argument against Ms. Clark that’s been raised, doesn’t hold up. And you know whose lives are going to be negatively impacted by this decision? Definitely not Ms. Clark’s - since as you know, she already got “the bag.” It’s the many great WNBA players who are women of color, and/or part of the LGBTQ+ community. They’re who make the level of play in the WNBA so high - but they also make $50,000-$75,000 on average. This was a chance to try to “move the needle,” in hopes that they might be paid more like world-class athletes, and wouldn’t have to spend the off-season playing in Russia - if they ever hope to own a home. So in the end, it’s not Caitlin Clark whose life & bank account will be harmed by USA Basketball’s decision….it’s the average WNBA player’s. And if the portion of Caitlin Clark’s fan base that’s motivated by race - and there’s no point in denying they exist - “turns against” the WNBA, the impact of her not being on the Paris Olympics roster, could potentially even be a REDUCTION in the net worth of the average WNNA player. And for Pete’s sake, who in the world wants to risk that?!

We have won Gold the last 7 trips in this event, that's almost 30 years! We don't have any competition! To send women who have already been and have a gold already and not send the most popular and sensational basketball player in America right now who has never been is so wrong on so many levels.

Include Australia. We love Caitlin too. And finally, a woman that makes sense. Jealousy (women's) has a lot to do with it and they don't mind losing money and opportunity because of their ego.

....I remember old golfers not being thrilled about Tiger's hype. They shut up quick when they saw what was happening to the purses. You need to put your personal feelings aside sometimes for the good of the sport. She brings eyes. You want eyes. And you don't put her on the team the whole world would watch? 92 dream team is a big part of the reason why we have people like Luka and Jokic. How many young girls would have been exposed to the sport of basketball around the world thinking, "I can do that?"

Another female former athlete, socialite, reporter said it best, she said woman would destroy themselves and sabotage others to make sure the star they don't like even if that persons on their team, doesn't succeed.

I've said this before leave it to women to destroy the very thing they "fight" for.

CC was the world MVP when she played for U-19 USA team. Of course the world are expecting to watch her in the Olympics.

What happens if 4 years from now and USA basketball is begging her to play and she says no or wants cash?

I totally agree with Christine Brennan. An incredible foolish decision. There are always "exceptions" to the rule. Kaitlin Clark is a unicorn. She will bring eyeballs to the women's game. Instead, no one cares about the WNBA or women's basketball. You put Caitlin Clark on the Olympic women's basketball team, and even if she plays for one minute, the crowd goes nuts, and eyeballs will watch. Let me note and admit, do I have any knowledge of anyone who plays in the WNBA, absolutely not; nor do I care. And now, I definitely won't care. Excellent reporting Christine Brennan.

Chelsea Gray is the starting point guard for the US Women's Olympic Team and she hasn't played a game all season and is still injured. If she was to start practicing tomorrow, she still won't be in basketball shape for next month. Maybe the announcement was the way to give flowers to a deserving player, in this case Chelsea Gray, but she wont be ready for Paris. So, right now the US Women's Olympic team is in need of a point guard. When you add the public outcry to the mix, I believe Caitlin Clark will be on that plane to France. Go USA!

This is fucking embarrassing

When is someone in the mainstream media going to grow a pair and tell it like it is and that the reason she isn't on the team is because of race, sexual orientation and flat out jealousy.

The hate is real, SMH

There are rules and regulations on roster decisions but I don't know for sure. I won't be watching the women's US team in the olympics unless they get some common sense and let her on the team. They are making a huge mistake. Her sponsors should step up on her behalf and the WNBA is ruining her career before it gets started.

tehy put injured nonplaying ladies on the team just to avoid cc. this is pathetic

The WNBA and US national teams management of CC’s ascendance into the world stage has been a complete debacle. They’ve know for at least two years that they have the most marketable player in the history of the sport entering their ranks and respond like it’s a surprise. This isn’t about her talents or accomplishments but more about the marketing opportunities she presents. I’m not expressing an opinion on whether she should be on the team, other people are better suited in that regard, but am comfortable saying their inability to control the narrative is embarrassing.

All of the WHINING about Clark being snubbed, and her coach benches her and her teammates for "lack of effort." You guys are CLOWNS!

I am sick of hearing they deserve this and deserve that. They deserve nothing. Their attitudes suck and this sense of entitlement I do not get. You have to earn it. They have done nothing but turn people off to this league. They deserve not a damn thing. Go kick rocks. i cant even listen to most of them talk they make no sense with their reasoning. I have not heard one logical reason for why Caitlin was left off the team. She is 13th in scoring and 4th in assists if you want to talk stats.

yeah especially when you see griner made it.........

The fact that they continue to deny CC based not on basketball but on politics is bad. There is no other real reason is because the old guard (Britney Grimes, Diana Taurasi, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Aja Wilson, etc) aren't inclusive. It's ironic that they yell about being inclusive and DEI but this is blatant. So CC was denied a spot not because she wasn't any good but because they were "worried" CC would be on the bench. Every athlete should be honored to represent their country in any role even on the bench. This was never a problem in the NBA with so many talented players, now it's suddenly a problem in the WNBA. I guess it's gonna be the same thing with the All-stars. Next, Olympics CC should demand not to have any old guard and only play with 2023 players and newer. Have her own Indy coach as the USA Basketball coach.

I read one of Christine Brennan's articles that the 3 athletes to watch in Paris were Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Caitlin Clark - out of 7K of them! The public will decide what athletes and their stories to focus on. Way to go Team USA choosing poorly.

C.C. will have her time to shine. She just a Rookie Relax. Those Guards ahead of her are REALLY GOOD.

Clark already passes better than anyone in the league. Her teammates have trouble because they're not used to playing with an unselfish player who can get them the ball when they're in a position to make a wide-open shot. Talk about biting off your nose to spite your face.

CC deserves to be on the team, according to stats. I will not support the USA with views or dollars

Finally an intelligent response from a female basketball analyst

One of the few times I agree with Christine Brennan. She has written questionable articles about US Figure Skaters.

Taurasi is 41 years old and playing mediocre games. Brittney Griner played ONE game this year because she's injured. Both are on Team USA.

It’s a snub, but I prefer Clark get rest and is able to hit the gym.

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! I am sickened by this decision. I am boycotting USA women’s basketball at the Olympics. I will not watch a single game!!! 😥

She just doesn't check the boxes! America and the WNBA is sick.

Everyone involved in Women's USA Basketball should be OUT! Immediately after the Olympics, including all of the players! Because, if I were on that team, I'd say Caitlin Clark should've been selected before Everyone!

Athletes seem to think they play in a vacuum---nothing outside the team matters. The fans are the reason their teams exist. If nobody watched or came to games they would be doing something else. You do what pleases the fans or kiss your career goodbye.

From Vietnam, my 2 daughters really want to watch Caitlin Clark in Olympic . Since Olympic televise basketball

Hang on, she was left off because fans may not like her lack of playing time. Sounds like they don't want here on there because of envy. Tell me I'm wrong.

First time I've ever agreed with Brennan

Once I seen the women’s haven’t lost in two decades I’m like nobody never covers this I wonder why

I just don't understand. All of the women on the team currently play better in the WNBA than Caitlin. There's others who didn't make the team who would have a stronger argument than Caitlin to make it based off their play. No doubt there is an argument for putting her on just for popularity BUT even Brennan said she would only play a couple minutes and we all know that this is all the press would talk about for the entire Olympics. "Why aren't you playing Caitlin?" And the fire that would rain down if the answer was simply, "She's not our best option." SO - there is also a good argument for picking the women based on how well they currently play at the highest level and, certainly, that's the most fair way to do it.

Clark going to the Olympics benefits the average wnba player who makes under 145,000 a year some make 60,000$. The global attention will raise the leagues salary cap. Clark is good financially either way. But we don’t want to hurt Diana Taurasis ego even though the whole league suffers financially from her going and stunting the global growth.

Tragic they stole this from CC! They last 4 years of growing the game was enough to deserve a spot

What would that interest be if Clark is hardly playing, as Brennan admits? It would turn everything on its head, to the detriment of the rest of the players and coaches, who would feel blamed for it, and have to spend lots of time defending themselves. It would be insulting and demoralizing. Worse, it might even get boos and cat calls in the Olympics stadiums from "disappointed" attendees. Clearly, Brennan hasn't thought through the reality of the matter. What's especially interesting about this whole discussion is that the former WNBA players are unanimous, as far as I've heard, in supporting the committee's decision, while it's reporters who've never played on a sports team that are pushing Clark's inclusion.

I commend Christine Brennan. In my opinion she gave the most logical perspective and regarding Clark not being the Olympic roster. I've listened to a lot of others who shared their comments. Some good and others who have no logic. Brennan who's an insider, who truly knows woman's basketball got it right.

Women's Basketball wants to pick players who don't have fans. lol You can't make this up.

Boycott the US women's Olympics game

Oh my lord a woman with sense!!!! 😮

really loved listening to someone who has been covering WBB for so long. would love to see Christine on again in the middle of the W's season

Just throwing money away

C C should be on the team and she should start !

How many other rookies are going? How many other rookies just joined the league? Maybe they don’t want the negative controversy that has surrounded her to be on the world stage. Plain and simple.

As a retired business professor I would give the basketball authorities decision an F.

She's not admitting what the backlash would be about. And she knows the answer. The backlash would be about race and all the black players that didn't make the team in favor of a rookie Caitlin Clark. That's the kind of backlash they were trying to avoid. Not just generic backlash

Caitlin is one of one. It's so idiotic for USA Basketball to not include her.

Christine Brennan nailed it. A BIG SWING AND MISS by USA 🏀

Christine Brennan is one of the most knowledgeable and respected media members that covers USA Women's Basketball. Maybe the Selection Committee should have hired her as a consultant at the least.

Does Taurasisaurus really need to be on another olympic team?

Love, Christine Brennan fellow Toledo native, but for Christ's sakes 4 and 1/2 minutes of six tooting her own horn.

This young lady should be on more shows. She explained this better then anyone.

In 40 years I never watched a woman’s game until Clark came along. The best ever. Last I watched was Iowa women’s bb.

I think this is great for Clark. She needs some rest and time to improve her game. She'll be just fine.

So Caitlin is too popular, and her fans will be a distraction? A distraction because she is such a huge draw?

Poor shot selection and turnovers lose games where all stars are assembled. CC is amazing but she has big problems with both. NCAA all time #3 in TOs and #1 in missed FGs. Most of those are decision-related. Not to mention off ball issues and D. She'll have her time.

This Christine chick is valid. For real. First Take needs to bring women LIKE THIS ON

The real reason is the veterans are afraid and jealous that Caitlin is sucking up all the endorsement dollars. The Olympus will have special commercials who will appear in those commercials? Jealous veterans or Caitlin. The team chemistry is import. Let us not forget Dianna T. has two teamsters on the team. Dianna does not like Clark. Chemistry would be a real problem. You know the cliche “Old Guys Rule”. In women’s basketball, “Old Gals Rule”. Or, so it seems!