Shane Gillis served as host of the 2025 ESPYS and was front and center with a pair of Caitlin Clark-related jokes during his opening monologue.
Gillis’ first joke was met with a mixed reaction from the crowd as he compared himself to the Indiana Fever star.
“It’s been a big year for the WNBA, I love Caitlin Clark,” Gillis said. “She and I have a lot in common. We’re both whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of threes.”
Clark was not in attendance for the awards show, as the Fever were on the road for a game against the New York Liberty at the Barclays Center.
After what appeared to be a mixed reaction, Gillis paused and said, “There you go, lighten up a little. It’s not serious. We’ll see about this one,” before telling his second joke.
‘When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she’s going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist-fighting Black women,” Gillis said.
The remarks were a reference to the heated exchanges Clark has had this season with opponents.
Caitlin Clark wins at ESPYS
It was announced before the ceremony that Clark won the ESPY for Best WNBA Player. In 2024, Clark was named All-WNBA and Rookie of the Year.