Dave Portnoy unveils Barstool Sports’ Caitlin Clark Olympics T-shirts – after his rant at ‘dumb women’ who snubbed her
Barstool CEO Dave Portnoy unveiled his company’s Caitlin Clark Olympics t-shirt after the Indiana Fever star was dropped from the roster of 12 players competing in Paris next month.
Clark was thought to be in the running to play for Team USA, despite only starting her professional career in April.
Despite some turbulence in the WNBA, Clark’s popularity has led some, like Portnoy, to become highly critical of the decision to leave her behind for the Summer Olympics in America.
The white t-shirt depicts Clark five times holding each of the Olympic rings. The shirt also features the American flag and the phrase ‘the only player that matters’ at the bottom.
It is available for $32with the release coming two days after Portnoy released an explosive about Clark’s criticism aimed at the “stupid women” who left her off the roster.
Clark has helped bring unprecedented attention to women’s basketball in recent years
The t-shirt shows Clark holding the Olympic rings with the slogan ‘the only player who matters’
“I don’t know who makes the decision, the Women’s Olympic Committee or whatever it is,” Portnoy said. “I don’t care if you think Caitlin Clark doesn’t belong on this team talent-wise, even though she scored 37 of 13 – the most points in league history for a rookie.”
‘None of it matters. These women – and I love women, I’m a pro-women’s man – they complain, they cry about equal rights, equal wages, blah blah blah… Hey dummies, for the first time in the history of basketball, you might have the player who is the most popular player in the world.
“You could say that Caitlin Clark is the most popular basketball player in the world, who spends the most time in the chair. You can argue that. And you’re leaving her off the Olympic team?’
“It’s not just a showcase for her, it’s for the sport and the other WNBA players on this team. How stupid, how brain dead, how idiotic must the people running this thing be? With her it goes from one thing to another.’
None of the star-studded WNBA rookie classes, including Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, made the Olympic roster, with only four call-ups without prior Olympic experience.
Portnoy has been a staunch supporter of Clark for several months and railed against her criticism
The Americans are heavy favorites to win gold in Paris, a feat they achieved in the last seven Summer Olympics, and nine of the last 10 overall.
Clark herself responded to the criticism, saying she was not disappointed.
“I think it just gives you something to work for,” Clark said this weekend. ‘It is a dream. Hopefully I can be there one day. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that. Hopefully I can be there again in four years.’
Portnoy has been one of Clark’s biggest celebrity cheerleaders, dating back to Iowa’s NCAA Tournament earlier this year.