WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes’ critical attitude toward Caitlin Clark seemingly played a role in her removal from the broadcast crew for Sunday’s Indiana Fever-Dallas Wings game.

Ex-WNBA and NBA coach Nancy Lieberman replaced Swoopes on Bally Sports’ telecast.

WNBA Legend Sheryl Swoopes speaks to the crowd during the 2022 WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 9, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois
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WNBA Legend Sheryl Swoopes speaks to the crowd during the 2022 WNBA All-Star Weekend on July 9, 2022, in Chicago, IllinoisCredit: Getty

 

Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on in the first half against the Dallas Wings on September 01, 2024, in Arlington, Texas
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Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on in the first half against the Dallas Wings on September 01, 2024, in Arlington, TexasCredit: Getty

And Lieberman, 66, confirmed she got a call from Bally Sports to get behind the mic instead of Swoopes, 53, in an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show.

 

During the interview, Stephen A. Smith, 56, once again accused Swoopes of having a bias against Clark, 22, after she chose to ignore the Rookie of the Year’s accolades on recent broadcasts and podcast appearances.

 

The ESPN star then suggested that the four-time WNBA champion’s conduct played a role in her removal from the announcers’ booth for the Fever’s 100-93 win over the Wings, with Lieberman filling in.

 

Lieberman agreed with Smith’s claim that Swoopes’ lack of acknowledgment of Clark’s accolades would be viewed as Swoopes having a personal vendetta against Indiana’s star.

She then said, “I would like to thank the Wings and Bally for putting me on the game and asking me if I would do it.”

 

Lieberman also revealed she confronted Swoopes on her apparent bias against Clark in a recent phone call.

 

Their discussion referred to Swoopes’ previous comments questioning the legitimacy of the former Iowa standout’s NCAA all-time scoring record.

 

“I called her as a friend and I said, ‘You can say whatever you want, you can have your own opinion about anybody. But you do have to get the statistics right. I mean, facts matter,'” Lieberman said.

 

The observation upset Swoopes, she added.

 

“And I was like, ‘Sheryl, I’m not doing anything to hurt you. I’m just sharing, we’re talking,'” Lieberman continued.

Stephen A. Smith labeled a ‘coward’ by WNBA icon Sheryl Swoopes for Caitlin Clark remarks in social media tirade

“So our relationship pretty much is not happening at this point.

 

“I tried to talk to her at the Final Four, she didn’t want to talk to me.

 

“My life is going to be good or great with or without Sheryl Swoopes in my life.

 

“I’d rather have her in it.”


Swoopes confirmed her relationship with Lieberman was over in a response on X.

“Now here you go! I get what you trying to do wit ya boy @stephenasmith,” she wrote.

 

“But it ain’t working.

 

“You know good and well what happened.

“And ditto…my life is good without you too (and him).

 

“You wanna go there?”