Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark criticizes WNBA player Sophie Cunningham on podcast
After being laid off from ESPN, Ryan Clark used his podcast to question the media focus on WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who recently posted a strong performance for Indiana.
Ryan Clark, who was among dozens of employees laid off from ESPN last month, launched his "Pivot" podcast shortly after his departure. On the recent episode, Clark criticized the media attention given to WNBA forward Sophie Cunningham, suggesting that coverage of players with modest scoring averages distracts from the league’s top teams and athletes.
Clark posted a tweet linking to the podcast segment, stating that "divisive gossip from a 9-point scorer gets more attention than the league’s best teams and players" and arguing that coverage should focus on "the right things" in basketball.
Cunningham, who has been highlighted for her three-point shooting, recorded 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting (all from beyond the arc) in a recent Indiana win, posting a plus-minus of +17. She currently ranks second in the WNBA for three-point percentage at 45.5%.
Clark’s comments reflect an ongoing debate about the balance between on-court performance and off-court discussions in sports media coverage.