NFL superstar Shannon Sharpe is blasting Alyssa Thomas in a new video after the WNBA All-Star was suspended for a game due to a Flagrant Foul 2 on the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark. On an episode of his “Nightcap” podcast, the former Denver Broncos player said Thomas “deserved to be suspended” for a game due to putting her fist on Clark’s throat during a fiery contest earlier this week.
Shannon Sharpe Sounds Off On Alyssa Thomas’ Flagrant Foul 2 On Caitlin Clark
“Even if you say intent, because intent only matters to the individual committing the act—Caitlin Clark’s throat is still hurting whether she intended to do it or not,” Sharpe told his co-hosts, Chad and Joe Johnson.
Sharpe’s comments come days after a video showed Thomas putting her first on Clark’s throat while making a play for the ball during the Phoenix Mercury’s 111-109 victory over Clark and the Fever. A day later, the WNBA announced it had suspended Thomas for one game.
While Sharpe and his co-hosts didn’t say Thomas’ actions were intentional, he did say that “physics teaches us” that no one falls to the ground with their fists. Rather, a person falling would attempt to brace themselves by spreading their hands apart.
As the conversation continued, Sharpe mentioned Thomas’ 2024 interaction with former Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. During a game, Thomas clotheslined Reese midair, sending the LSU alum to the ground. Thomas was ejected from the contest.
“So, I have no problem with them upgrading this and suspending her because of the history we have seen,” Sharpe said. “We have seen acts that are not basketball-related. That is not a basketball act that she did. She deserved to be suspended.”
Stephen A. Smith Breaks His Silence On ‘Cash Cow’ Caitlin Clark
Sharpe isn’t the only sports figure to speak out about the recent flagrant foul against Clark. On an episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith implied that some members of the WNBA are jealous of Clark because of her level of fame and popularity.
“There is a flagrant level of resentment that exists when it comes to Caitlin Clark, and it has existed since she arrived in the league. She is the cash cow,” he said on the air. “There is a palpable resentment toward this girl. You have people who resent her star power and her cachet, and as a result, if they have an opportunity to go at her, they’re going to take it.”
Smith Says The WNBA’s Popularity Grew Because Of Caitlin Clark
While Smith called out Clark’s behavior in the league—specifically her trash-talking other players—he said that her counterparts have “failed” to respect what she’s meant for the WNBA.
“I believe some people have failed to appreciate the mantra that a rising tide lifts all boats. Ride this cash cow till the wheels come off,” he said. “They did it in the NBA with Magic Johnson. They did it with Michael Jordan. That’s how you do this.”
“You find somebody who galvanizes people and ingratiates themselves with the public at large in such a way that everywhere they go and whatever they do, everybody wants to watch. You don’t resent that. You feed off it to build your own,” he added.
And while Smith said the WNBA still has a long way to go to become a finished product like the NBA, he said there’s no way people should be standing in the way of the league’s “cash cow.”
Fever Head Coach Stephanie White Calls Out The Officials
According to a previous report from The Blast, Fever head coach Stephanie White was furious with the WNBA officials for failing to call a foul on Thomas earlier in the game.
“Number one, you gotta call it. It’s absolutely egregious and utterly disrespectful,” she said. “And then number two, you’re aware of what happened two nights ago, and that s— still happens? Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unacceptable.”
Elsewhere during her post-game conference, White said Thomas’ actions were “crazy and dangerous.”
Clark Comments On Her Style Of Play
Prior to Clark’s interaction with Thomas, the Iowa alum made headlines after she received her fifth technical foul during an earlier match against the Mercury on Monday, June 22. In her post-game interview, Clark said she spoke with the officials about the foul and claimed they told her it was assessed for instigating and unsportsmanlike conduct.
While she disagreed with the referees’ stance, Clark said she wasn’t going to change a thing about her game. “I’m going to play with emotion, I’m going to play with passion and if they’re going to give me a technical foul for clapping, then so be it. That’s their choice,” she said.