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In a decision likely to spark national debates all summer long, Caitlin Clark was not selected to be on the U.S. Olympics basketball team that will compete in Paris this summer.
The decision is yet another example of why this 22-year-old woman has become the center of minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour debates about why she’s making so much money in endorsements, generating so much aggressive – and sometimes brutal — play by opponents, and all in all putting America in a tense and delicate discussion about women, sexuality, race, equal rights, and about 10 other major society issues.
I checked with a friend who knows all about the 12 women who made the roster and he unequivocally told me they’re all better than Clark. I believe that.
Decision-makers said a reason she was left off was she would not get a lot of playing time and they didn’t want fans clamoring for her to get more court time.
Fine and fair enough. The best players deserve to be on the team. Nothing more American than that.
But it’s not like the team couldn’t use a unique long-range shooter unlike any other – better at that skill than anyone on the roster. Last night she scored 30 points draining a gaggle of bombs.
The truth is she’s more entertaining to watch than any of the 12 players on that roster and it’s not close. So the question is this: Is it more important to put the most deserving players on the team or add the most entertaining one who will draw millions more people to watch the team play?
Mark this moment now as the start of the national debate about this question. Countless young girls across America want to see her play in the Olympics and this decision denies them that opportunity. From a marketing perspective, this decision guarantees millions fewer people will watch this team play.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the outcry about this decision becomes so intense that this call gets re-considered. Not saying she should be on the team. I am saying I’m unlikely to watch if she’s not playing because I like to see a woman drain bombs from 30 feet away more than any other thing they do on the court.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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