A Minnesota sports writer’s peculiar coverage of Caitlin Clark has recently drawn significant attention on social media. While the ongoing WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx are being hailed as one of the most exciting championship series in recent memory, Patrick Roose, a writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune, seems determined to shift the spotlight to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, despite simultaneously claiming that the league doesn’t need her.
On Friday evening, Roose published an article titled: “These Are Unforgettable WNBA Finals, and We Didn’t Need Caitlin Clark.” The subheading emphasized that both the Lynx and Liberty have proven that the WNBA’s new era isn’t centered around one player. While acknowledging that Clark has drawn attention to the league, Roose argued that she shouldn’t have been on the Olympic team and even suggested she could have been left off the recent All-WNBA team if people focused on her record-breaking turnovers instead of her points and assists.
Roose curiously refers to himself as a “Clark booster,” a term that feels inconsistent with his previous critiques of the young star. Since the article’s release, fans have been quick to point out some of his past statements about Clark, making his recent comments seem contradictory.
Back in February, Roose tweeted about Clark’s appearance in a State Farm ad, expressing his amazement at “discovering” her. He recounted watching her play for just 10 minutes before driving to Des Moines and Iowa City to cover her story, proudly claiming, “I’m not a bragger, but I am clairvoyant.” Later, he remarked on the coincidence of discovering Clark just as she set a scoring record in Minneapolis.
In May, Roose again referenced his perceived role in Clark’s rise, pondering whether the American sports phenomenon would have occurred without him “discovering” her. In a bizarre incident, he even reportedly stepped on Clark’s phone after a Fever vs. Lynx game, joking that she should be honored by the encounter.
Roose’s fixation on claiming credit for discovering Caitlin Clark has raised eyebrows, especially as he now uses her name to downplay her significance in the current WNBA landscape. Fans are left wondering whether this is just an attempt to garner attention, or if Roose truly believes that Clark’s presence in the league isn’t essential.
For now, the controversy continues, and whether Caitlin Clark’s stardom can be separated from the drama remains to be seen.
