Cari Champion: Caitlin Clark’s brutal assaults by players are a ‘sign of respect’

During a discussion about Caitlin Clark, Joe Borelli argued that the Indiana Fever star has become the target of excessive physical play from opponents.

“Caitlin Clark is being bullied, she’s being targeted. So there must be some pattern. I suspect it’s probably some jealousy,” Borelli said.

Cari Champion disagreed with that interpretation, offering a different explanation for the way Clark is attacked across the league.

“It is a sign of respect.”

JOE BORELLI: Caitlin Clark is being bullied, she's being targeted. So there must be some pattern. I suspect it's probably some jealousy.

CARI CHAMPION: It is a sign of respect.

Ex-ESPN analyst claims Caitlin Clark is being targeted by WNBA players as a "sign of respect." pic.twitter.com/iOMrXud54W

— Thomas Hern (@ThomasMHern) July 11, 2026