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Caitlin Clark eventually got it right, but she needs to consider the agenda around her name

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Caitlin Clark eventually got it right, but she needs to consider the agenda around her name

INDIANAPOLIS — Athletes often speak in generalities as a defense mechanism. Rather than go in-depth on a potentially controversial topic, or even address the issue at all, they provide non-answers, using cliches and pre-programmed talking points to stay at a safe distance.

A part of me would like to believe that that’s what Caitlin Clark did Thursday morning when I asked if she was bothered by fans using her name as a weapon in the culture wars dividing the country. The Indiana Fever’s star guard didn’t close the door on the subject; she refused to even open it.

“No,” she declared. “I don’t see it. I don’t see it. That’s not where my focus is. My focus is here and on basketball. That’s where it needs to be, that’s where it has been, and I’m just trying to get better on a daily basis.”

Clark backtracked five hours later, telling reporters that “people should not be using my name to push those agendas,” but the damage had already been done. Connecticut Sun wing DiJonai Carrington was among those who spoke out against her initial comments, saying on X: “Dawg, how one can not be bothered by their name being used to justify racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia & the intersectionalities of them all is nuts. We all see the sh*t. We all have a platform. We all have a voice & they all hold weight. Silence is a luxury.

It’s not surprising that Clark would initially attempt to avoid the topic. She’s a rookie struggling to find her way on a new team in a new league, at a time when the shots that fell so consistently in college are now missing the mark with greater frequency. Instead of being the go-to closer, which contributed to her massive popularity at Iowa, she sometimes is on the bench in the waning moments because of turnover issues.

But you don’t get to hide behind basketball when you’ve been anointed the transcendent, rising tide who will lift the WNBA to greater prosperity. And you definitely don’t get to do so when people are using your name as a means of pushing racism, misogyny, homophobia and other societal ills. To whom much is given, much is required, indeed.

The subject is sure to raise its head again Sunday when the Chicago Sky come to town. Chicago players Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese have been targets of Clark supporters following separate incidents with Clark. Sky players said Carter and other team members were harassed at a team hotel days after leveling Clark with a dirty hip-check on June 1. And Reese has drawn ire from some Clark fans for mocking Clark during LSU’s national championship win two seasons ago.
But they’re not the only Black women who have come under attack or been marginalized by those seeking to defend Clark. Teammate Aliyah Boston deleted one of her social media accounts because she was tired of being bombarded by “couch coaches,” many of whom sought to divert attention from Clark’s early struggles by pointing out Boston’s deficiencies.
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson is widely regarded as the WNBA’s best player and a high-character ambassador for the game and its players. But when she answered that race is a “huge” factor in why Black players have not received the same type of attention or marketing opportunities as Clark, social media went to work, with one person writing: “My advice to A’ja Wilson, instead of crediting this young lady’s popularity to race in a league where 60 percent of the players are Black, you should thank Caitlin Clark because without her, I wouldn’t know who you are or be talking about your sport.”

There is a tradition in professional sports that high-profile rookies are to be tested. Veterans go at them hard to see what they’re made of. Doesn’t matter the sport or the gender. But when Carrington fouled Clark and mocked the rookie for what she perceived to be an embellishment of the contact, much of the social media commentary was predictable. “Caitlin Clark was targeted by black players again Monday, this time in Connecticut,” one person wrote. “Suns (sic) guard DiJonai Carrington violently checked Clark then mocked her after the blatant foul. The crowd booed. If the races were reversed Carrington would’ve been ejected.”

Clark did not make the comments, but I was curious about her feelings about people using her name as a divisive tool. Her initial response Thursday morning: “It’s not something I can control, so I don’t put too much thought and time into thinking about things like that. And, to be honest, I don’t see a lot of it. Like I’ve said, basketball is my job. Everything on the outside, I can’t control that so I’m not going to spend time thinking about that. People can talk about what they want to talk about, create conversations about whatever it is, but I think for myself, I’m just here to play basketball. I’m just here to have fun. I’m trying to help our team win. … I don’t pay much mind to all of that, to be honest.”

But is she being forthright? It must be said that Clark is 22 and dealing with tremendous demands and expectations. That definitely should provide her with a level of grace. Still, her comments were troubling because they lacked awareness and empathy toward Black peers who do not have the privilege of distancing themselves from the isms they are regularly confronted with.

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Carrington likened her silence to luxury. I see it as complicity.

Perhaps she didn’t want to fully address it because of the sensitivity involved? Or maybe she was following the advice of her inner circle, including advisors who might believe it’s more profitable to say nothing? It worked well for Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, though it sent the message that money was more important than morality. But the initial unwillingness to stand against hate and harassment was always going to be problematic in a league that is predominately Black, and has a sizable LGBTQ+ population.

By happenstance, her comments came on the same day the Women’s National Basketball Players Association posted a column on The Players’ Tribune that highlighted how proud its members are of their history of fighting against social injustices. “Our work has always been bigger than basketball,” it stated at one point.

That’s why it was important that Clark revisited her comments late Thursday, an hour or so before tipoff against the Atlanta Dream. She ran the danger of losing the respect of some of her peers, particularly at a time when more and more prominent White players are speaking out as allies in the fight against racism and homophobia.

It would have been conspicuous and problematic for a league that prides itself on inclusion and acceptance to have its most visible player standing silent on the sideline when legendary WNBA guard Sue Bird spoke out in a 2020 CNN piece, or UConn guard Paige Bueckers addressed it during her 2021 ESPYs acceptance speech, or former LSU guard Hailey Van Lith last March called criticism of her Black teammates racist, or with Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink last week saying, “I will acknowledge there’s a privilege for the younger White players of the league.”

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No one is asking Clark to be a social activist or to be a prominent face in the fight for respect, but it is important for her to at least denounce those who might use her name to espouse hate and division.

“It’s disappointing, it’s not acceptable …,” she said before tipoff of people using her name to push agendas. “This league is a league I grew up admiring and wanting to be a part of. Some of the women in this league were my biggest idols and role models growing up. … Treating every single woman in this league with the same amount of respect is just a basic human thing that everybody should do. Just be a kind person and treat them how you would want to be treated.”

It may have taken her time to express those sentiments, but that should not overshadow that she ultimately got to the right place. It was a positive step for her and the league.

(Photo: Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

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Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

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Trump to present FIFA World Cup winners with trophy

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President Donald Trump will present the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winner of the match between Spain and Argentina on Sunday, a White House official confirmed to Fox News.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last month on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump would deliver the trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field of New York/New Jersey Stadium.

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Reece James of Chelsea lifts the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on stage with President Donald Trump after Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

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Infantino also said at the time that Trump would attend the contest. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the president’s attendance “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”

Trump was on stage during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation after Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Earlier in the World Cup, Trump got involved in one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA’s Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.

President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and President Donald Trump prepare to present the trophy to Chelsea FC following the World Cup final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 13, 2025. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

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Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.

The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.

President Donald Trump speaks after receiving the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the World Cup 2026 Final Draw. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)

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Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C., next month.

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Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

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Shohei Ohtani scratched from next pitching start, return to mound unclear

The Dodgers don’t know when Shohei Ohtani will take the mound next.

He was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday against the Phillies, after promising initial reports on his recovery from an injection in his left knee. But after seeing his knee’s response to playing catch, the team decided to give him more time.

“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”

It was clear enough from catch play that Ohtani’s start would have to be pushed back that Ohtani did not feel the need to test it by throwing off a mound, Roberts said.

“Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

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That left a wide range of timeline possibilities, from days to weeks. Roberts did, however, rule out shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the season.

“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.

To fill Ohtani’s spot in the rotation this week, the Dodgers moved right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start to Monday. Before the rainout bumped the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Sheehan was scheduled to start Saturday.

For Sunday’s doubleheader, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in the first game. The bullpen, and potentially multiple innings from the 27th man, will cover the nightcap.

“Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Roberts said of the MLB-leading Dodgers. “Could [Ohtani] probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”

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Ohtani, who went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in Friday’s 2-1 win, was set to DH and hit leadoff in Sunday’s first game.

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England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

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England beats France in instant classic to earn third place at 2026 FIFA World Cup

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It’s the game that no one ever wants to play in, but there was still a lot on the line for both England and France in the third-place match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

Both teams hit the pitch at Miami Stadium (also known as Hard Rock Stadium) after some tough semifinal losses: France to Spain, and England to reigning champs Argentina.

France was looking for redemption after coming up short in a tournament where they were widely viewed to be the favorite. Plus, this match presented an opportunity for French star Kylian Mbappe to overtake Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

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England’s Bukayo Saka scores during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Medal Match. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

However, they were up against an England team that had played well throughout the tournament and was 2-1 against them in World Cup matches. Their two most offensively potent players this tournament, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both started the match on the bench.

Well, in the early going, it turns out that England had enough offensive firepower to get things started.

In just the 3rd minute, Declan Rice hit paydirt to open the scoring.

Only about ten minutes later, England put another one in the back of the net; however, it was deemed to have been offside.

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But even with the big guns sitting on the bench, England was easily the more offensively productive team early, with Ezri Konsa adding another off of a corner in the 18th minute.

But why not make it three?

In the 37th minute, Bukayo Saka scored a goal that was certainly not how the Three Lions would’ve drawn it up, but it counts just the same.

And while you’re at it, Mr. Saka, just tack on another for good measure.

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England took a 4-0 lead into halftime after one of the most lopsided first halves of the tournament, and few expected France to be on the receiving end, especially with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham still on the bench.

And, honestly, it could’ve been worse.

France bounced back from a nightmare first half, and star Kylian Mbappe scored a pair to take the lead in the Golden Boot race and make history. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

Fortunately for France, they did exactly what they needed to and came out firing in the second half. Mbappe got them on the board in the 48th minute, and put himself ahead of Messi in the Golden Boot race, and even with him in career World Cup goals at 21.

Then, just minutes later, France’s Bradley Barcola added another to make it a 4-2 game.

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So, while the first half was all England, the second was all about France, and in the 66th minute, Mbappe made it 4-3, while also extending his Golden Boot lead and taking over the top spot on the all-time World Cup goals list.

What. A. Match.

Who cares about third place, right?

England’s Jude Bellingham and Reece James celebrate Bukayo Saka’s (center) third goal of the Bronze Final match in Miami. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

But after getting several opportunities to tie it up, England was awarded a penalty kick, and that went to Bukayo Saka, who buried it for the hat trick and to give England a little breathing room late in the match.

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It’s hard to believe he didn’t play a single minute in the semifinal loss to Argentina, right?

And that breathing room was important, because France wasn’t going to go quietly.

But England answered back immediately with a beauty from Jude Bellingham, his seventh of the tournament, and that was all she wrote.

Unbelievable.

The final score was, incredibly, 6-4. That was the most goals scored in a World Cup third-place match ever, topping the one in 1958 between France and West Germany.

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With that win, England may have come up short when it comes to bringing a World Cup title back home, but that was their best finish in a World Cup since they won it in 1966.

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It was an incredible match, and now there’s only one left and its for the World Cup title.

Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday afternoon at New York-New Jersey Stadium, with the match scheduled to start at 3 pm ET.

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