Charles Barkley has claimed there is something going on with WNBA players, stating that racial tensions, sexuality and jealousy are at the root of the league’s internal conflicts.
The Hall of Fame player identified DiJonai Carrington as a key figure in the turmoil, noting she made an X post reading “White privilege” after being penalized for a hard foul on WNBA star Sophie Cunningham. Barkley described the incident as “a 100% mistake. It was a dirty play. Period.”
He further stated that WNBA players generally have issues with Cunningham and her Indiana Fever teammate, perennial star Caitlin Clark: “Those girls do not like Caitlin Clark or Sophie Cunningham.” The 63-year-old former Phoenix Suns forward added during an interview with Michael Smerconish from late August that the tensions stem from a combination of factors: “Whether it’s race, sexuality, or whatever, there’s something going on there. Because most of the time when you see something, it has something to do with Caitlin or Sophie.”
Barkley concluded the conflicts likely involve “sexuality, race, and jealousy,” emphasizing that the league’s other players seem to have a problem with both Cunningham and Clark. He also criticized the WNBA for not addressing the possibility of transgender athletes competing, stating: “Under no circumstances do I think men should play against women.”
The former player added the league is suffering under negative press, saying: “They’re not having a great year. When’s the last time you heard something positive about the WNBA? I can’t even remember.”
