Is Sheryl Swoopes targeting Caitlin Clark? Fans weigh in on her cryptic Serena Williams post

WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes has once again drawn backlash from Caitlin Clark fans after a cryptic social media post many saw as a subtle shot.

On Wednesday, less than two weeks before the WNBA preseason tips off, Swoopes posted a video of Serena Williams dancing at the Super Bowl with a pointed caption:

“I love my fans!!! Yall make it a great day!!! Remember haters gonna hate! Go be great!”

I love my fans!!! Yall make it a great day!!!❤️
Remember haters gonna hate! Go be great! pic.twitter.com/WwIAM8ijah

— Sheryl Swoopes (@airswoopes22) April 23, 2025

The post didn’t mention Clark directly, but for many fans, the message was loud and clear. Comments quickly poured in from followers calling out Swoopes for what they believe is a long-running pattern of criticism aimed at Clark.

One fan replied:

“All you did was hate on Caitlin Clark — you bring the hate on yourself.”

Another wrote:

“You never gave her a chance just because she’s not Black. So stop with that. Trying to come back to make yourself relevant again.”

One particularly pointed comment read:

“As a parent to 20 and 14 years old, I can proudly say this — you should be ashamed of yourself. You might have been the best basketball player, but I’ve never seen a grown woman being so pathetic to a 22-year-old. You’re never a role model. It’s not too late to change.”

Swoopes was a dominant force in early WNBA history and remains one of the game’s greatest pioneers. But her recent reputation among some fans has shifted, especially during Caitlin Clark’s breakout rookie season. Throughout the year, Swoopes regularly defended Angel Reese in the heated Clark vs. Reese debate — often at the expense of Clark. Her comments, seen by many as one-sided, led to her being removed from a broadcast of a Fever vs. Dallas Wings game last season amid growing criticism.

The tension between Swoopes and Clark’s fanbase has since become a recurring theme online, and this week’s post seems to have reignited the discourse.

Both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had standout rookie seasons, but Clark ultimately claimed the league’s Rookie of the Year title, led her team to the playoffs, and earned a WNBA All-Star selection as a starter. As anticipation builds for the 2025 season, all eyes are on the May 17 opener when Clark’s Indiana Fever face off against Reese’s Chicago Sky — a rematch loaded with storylines both on and off the court.