Emmanuel Acho argues the WNBA would be 'better off' without Caitlin Clark despite her record impact

WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark was hit in the throat during a loose-ball scramble, sparking outrage and a one-game suspension for Alyssa Thomas. Fox News' Garrett Tenney reports on the 'absolutely unacceptable' incident and the coach's reaction. Political analyst Gianno Caldwell discusses Clark's immense impact on WNBA viewership, including a $2.2 billion deal, and the role of gender and race in the controversy.

Apparently, Caitlin Clark's services are no longer required.

At least that's the conclusion Emmanuel Acho reached this week when he argued that the WNBA would actually be "better off" without her — despite repeatedly acknowledging that Clark is the primary reason the league is enjoying record popularity and unprecedented financial success in the first place.

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Emmanuel Acho speaks onstage during the ADL Never Is Now Summit at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on March 17, 2026. (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

The former NFL player made the comments on his "Speakeasy" podcast while discussing the ongoing controversy surrounding Clark's treatment by opponents, most recently the incident involving Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.

"The W, at this junction in time, would be better off without Caitlin Clark because she is a bigger distraction than she is an additive," Acho said.

He continued:

"Caitlin Clark has gotten the WNBA over the necessary threshold they needed. Now, people are watching. Now, we realize there's talent in the W that's actually even greater than Caitlin Clark…

"Caitlin got the necessary eyes there, but now that the eyes are there, we don't necessarily need her anymore."

And then came perhaps the most astonishing part of the argument:

"Ca