Serena Williams posing at ESPYs and Caitlin Clark on court
Serena Williams and Caitlin Clark (Photos via Getty Images)
Serena Williams hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards and touched on just about everything from Drake losing a rap battle to Kendrick Lamar to speaking on Caitlin Clark’s fan base.

Williams, who also spoke on Shohei Ohtani’s translator and Bronny James getting drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, mentioned Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, but her joke did not go over as well online.

Clark, who was not at the show, was nominated for three awards: Best Women’s Athlete, Best Record-breaking Performance, and Best Women’s College Athlete.

“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” Williams started her joke at the packed Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “You are the Larry Bird in that you are an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana, and white people are really crazy about you.”

Fans online were not pleased with what Serena said about Clark, and she was quickly labeled as racist.

The tennis legend, who holds 23 Grand Slam titles, has not issued an apology or spoken out since making those comments.

Much like anything said about her, Caitlin Clark is unlikely to speak out about this moment at the ESPY Awards.