Where Is The Proof Race and Sexuality Boost Caitlin Clark's Popularity? | Bobby Burack

What evidence is there that Caitlin Clark's skin color and sexuality contributed to her popularity? 

Anyone?

The rabble-rousers keep saying that Clark would not be as popular if she weren't white and straight. 

Jemele Hill said so this week, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times: 

"We would all be very naive if we didn’t say race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity. While so many people are happy for Caitlin’s success — including the players; this has had such an enormous impact on the game — there is a part of it that is a little problematic because of what it says about the worth and the marketability…" 

Host Sunny Hostin read Hill's comment on "The View" on Wednesday, agreeing that Clark is the beneficiary of white and pretty girl privilege:

"I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege. There is a thing called white privilege. There is a thing called tall privilege, and we have to acknowledge that, and so part of it is about race, because if you think about the Brittney Griners of the world, why did she have to go to play in Russia? Because they wouldn’t pay her."

Their proof?

They don't have any.

While racial biases can be challenging to prove in a quantitative form, there are often trends and historical precedents to support such accusations. 

For example, if there were a pattern in which American fans aggressively supported white athletes and ignored equally impressive black athletes – Hill and Hostin could have a case. 

But a pattern of that kind does not exist.

In fact, the most popular athletes in U.S. history were/are black.

According to a YouGov poll, the 15 most popular athletes in U.S. history are all black. Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, and Michael Jordan are, respectively,