Analyst Elle Duncan says Caitlin Clark was used as an avatar
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The gist
Netflix and USA Network WNBA analyst Elle Duncan said Caitlin Clark was put in a completely unfair situation.
Duncan's defense of Clark followed backlash over her calling WNBA coverage toxic.
Background
Elle Duncan is a former ESPN analyst who joined the network in 2016 and left in December 2025; she now works for Netflix and is lead studio host for USA Network's WNBA coverage. Caitlin Clark is the Indiana Fever star guard taken first overall out of Iowa in the 2024 draft. Days earlier, at Front Office Sports' Tuned In summit, Duncan said covering the WNBA had become "toxic as hell" and drew backlash for referencing Clark in that comment, which set up her later defense of Clark.
How it unfolded
- Dec 2025Duncan, who joined ESPN in 2016, leaves the network; she later works for Netflix and as lead studio host for USA Network's WNBA coverage.
- Oct 13, 2026At Front Office Sports' Tuned In summit, Duncan tells Baker Machado that covering the WNBA has become "toxic as hell" and says the next commissioner should address divisiveness around the league.
- Oct 15, 2026A clip from the "On Tilt" podcast is released in which Ariel Epstein criticizes Duncan.
- Oct 19, 2026Front Office Sports Tonight posts a clip of Duncan answering whether Caitlin Clark has been treated fairly since entering the WNBA; her comments are reported as making waves.
- Oct 20, 2026Sports Illustrated publishes Grant Young's story on Duncan's comments.
Who’s saying what
- Duncan
- Duncan said Clark was put in a completely unfair situation, that the narratives predated her arrival in the league, and that "they used her as an avatar."
- Critic
- Ariel Epstein slammed Duncan for suggesting Clark's and Sophie Cunningham's fan bases brought toxicity, arguing Duncan and others haven't embraced those fans and that this caused the toxicity.
- Critic
- OutKick's Dan Dakich attacked Duncan after her "toxic as hell" comment, declaring it "open season" to dunk on Black women.
- Fans
- Fans quoted by Yahoo said Duncan has "done nothing but add fuel to the fire from day one" and used Clark for personal benefit.
- Player
- Clark said the focus on her comes with great things and at times negatives, and that as a teammate it upsets you to see teammates go through something like that.
Still unverified
Duncan never directly called out Clark's fans, but several people who opposed her felt it was implied. Players have complained about misbehavior at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and online abuse from people claiming to be Clark or Fever fans; according to The Sporting News (via Yahoo Sports), Indiana denied the incidents at its arena after prompt investigations, and nothing substantial has come out since.