Former ESPN host Cari Champion is outraged that the WNBA and referees are showing favoritism to Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. Cari thinks Caitlin is receiving “special treatment” from the referees during games.

“That type of blatant favoritism annoys the hell out of me,” Cari said in Wednesday’s episode of her “Flagrant & Funny” podcast. Cari is upset that Caitlin stood up for herself when Golden State Valkyries player Tiffany Hayes got in her face during the Valkyries’ 90-82 loss to the Fever on May 22.

Caitlin launched a half-court three, then she told Hayes to bring it on. Caitlin’s fans praised her for defending herself. Fans noted that Caitlin received 5 fouls and 2 technicals in the same game.

The two teams meet again tonight (May 28) on the Valkyries’ home court.

Caitlin Clark vs Tip Hayes round 2 letsss gett it ??whos cmng on top after tonight’s game pic.twitter.com/fIXI7w30RA

— AP Baby (@CCbabygoat) May 28, 2026

“I didn’t mind it… Bring more of that. I like it,” Cari told sports journalist Jemele Hill.

Cari said she didn’t like the way Caitlin talked to the referee during the game. She noted that Caitlin clapped her hands and told the ref to “Open your eyes!”

Cari told Jemele: “In my mind, I’m like ‘open your eyes’? Are we allowed to talk to the refs like that? Can we talk to the refs that recklessly and get away with the things that are being said? And I’ve never seen that before, but maybe I haven’t paid attention.”

“The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I’m like, ‘I don’t like you.'”

Cari said the WNBA, referees and fans are treating the league’s golden goose like she’s “precious”. She said the WNBA is positioning Caitlin to be its superstar. And she chastised Caitlin for not showing leadership by accepting the abuse heaped on her by the players and refs.

“The more we get to catch these glimpses of Caitlin Clark, I’m like ‘I don’t like you. I don’t like how you behave on the court. And the league is positioning you to be its superstar because you are, and with leadership comes certain responsibilities. And if you don’t want that responsibility, I understand that. But the way that you behave, this entitlement, the way that you were talking to your coaches… You enjoy that, right? So if that’s what you enjoy. If you wanna be the villain, if you wanna be the tough person… If that’s what you, Caitlin, decide to do, then let it be. ‘Cause we coming at you the same way we would come at anybody else.'”

Cari seems to have forgotten the verbal and physical abuse that Caitlin endured during her rookie season. Instead of welcoming Caitlin with open arms, WNBA veterans like Chennedy Carter and Diamond DeShields committed hard fouls against Caitlin.

Caitlin’s fans demanded action. They called on the league and referees to protect Caitlin. Many fans decided to stop watching WNBA games when Caitlin missed most of the 2025 season with injuries. Attendance and TV ratings plummeted.

Finally the tide has turned in Caitlin’s 3rd season. Now the refs are favoring Caitlin. Players who even breathe on the star guard are called for flagrant fouls.

Journalists like Cari Champion and Jemele Hill are spitting fire in response to the WNBA protecting its superstar. “I think the league is not handling her well,” Cari said. “I don’t think coddling her behind the scenes is going to create what they think it’s going to create.”

Cari Champion feels Caitlin Clark comes off entitled ? pic.twitter.com/9rcz0eA7Ul

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 28, 2026