BREAKING: Monica McNutt Blasts Caitlin Clark’s Million-Dollar Endorsement, Claims Angel Reese Deserves “At Least a Billion—If Only America Had Clarity.”By Grok Sports Desk

November 24, 2025

🚨 BREAKING: ESPN analyst Monica McNutt just torched the airwaves on First Take, unleashing a fiery takedown of Caitlin Clark’s latest eight-figure endorsement bonanza, insisting Chicago Sky star Angel Reese has been robbed of her due—and not by pocket change, but by a “billion” if the nation could muster some “clarity” on talent versus optics. 😱 The segment, which devolved into a heated studio standoff with Stephen A. Smith and Chiney Ogwumike scrambling to play referee, has already ignited a powder keg on X, with #McNuttMania and #ReeseRobbed exploding as fans from coast to coast pick sides in the endless Clark-Reese saga. “Caitlin’s cashing checks on crossover appeal, but Angel’s the engine—rebounding, rallying, real,” McNutt declared, her voice slicing through the ESPN green room like a fast break. “Give her a billion if America could see past the highlights. Clarity, y’all. Clarity!” Is this the boldest call yet in the WNBA’s fiercest rivalry, or just more fuel for the culture war inferno? The clip’s racked 4.2 million views in hours, and the discourse? It’s savage. Buckle up, basketball world—this one’s rewriting the endorsement playbook.

The bombshell dropped during Monday’s First Take pre-show huddle, teeing up coverage of the WNBA’s glittering 2025 media rights bonanza—a $2.2 billion, 11-year pact with ESPN, Amazon, and NBC that Clark’s “effect” helped negotiate sky-high. Host Molly Qerim had lobbed a softball: “Clark’s Nike extension—another $28 million over eight years. Is she the queen of the business now?” Enter McNutt, the former Georgetown guard turned ESPN firebrand, who’s built a rep on unfiltered takes that don’t flinch from the fray. “Queen? Try cash cow for the league,” she fired back, leaning into the camera with that trademark intensity. “Caitlin’s got the deals—Gatorade, State Farm, Buick—millions raining down because she’s the palatable phenom. But Angel Reese? She’s out here averaging 13.1 boards as a rookie, turning the Sky from lottery losers to playoff pests, and what? A Reebok nod and a podcast plug? She deserves at least a billion—if only America had clarity on what real impact looks like.” The studio froze. Smith, mid-sip of his coffee, sputtered, “A billion? Monica, you’re talking Oprah money!” Ogwumike, ever the diplomat, chimed, “It’s about equity, Stephen A.—Reese’s visibility built the buzz Clark cashes in on.” But McNutt wasn’t backing down: “Clarity means seeing the Black woman who carried the conversation when Caitlin was sidelined. Reese didn’t just play; she pioneered.”

This isn’t McNutt’s first swing in the Clark-Reese coliseum—she’s been the rivalry’s unflinching referee since their 2023 NCAA clash drew 9.9 million eyeballs, the most-watched women’s hoops game ever. Back in July 2024, she sparked fury by tabbing Reese as her midseason WNBA Rookie of the Year over Clark, citing the Sky’s playoff push (a half-game lead at 7-11) and Reese’s double-double dominance against the Fever’s rebuild woes. “Both impressive, but standings don’t lie,” she argued then, drawing howls from Clark stans who pointed to her 20.1 PPG and league-record assists. Sharpe lit her up on Club Shay Shay for “ice-cold takes,” but McNutt clapped back: “Facts over feelings—Reese elevated her team.” Fast-forward to 2025: Clark’s off-court empire swells to $11 million in endorsements alone (up from $9M rookie year), her net worth hitting $5M while Reese’s hovers at $2M despite 17 NIL deals in college worth $1.8M. Reese’s bag? Solid—Reebok extensions, SI Swimsuit covers, “Unapologetically Angel” pods pulling six figures—but no nine-figure Nike splash. McNutt’s “billion” jab? Hyperbole with teeth, echoing Forbes’ November snub where Clark ranked No. 4 on the Most Powerful Women in Sports (behind owners like Gayle Benson), while Reese and A’ja Wilson ghosted the top 25. Fans torched it as “bias,” with The Shadow League blasting: “‘Doesn’t Qualify Because She’s Black’—Reese and Wilson left out while Clark climbs.”

The backlash hit like a crossover dribble. On X, #McNuttMania trended with 1.8M posts by noon, splitting the timeline into fevered factions. Clark faithful fired first: @HawkeyeHustle tweeted, “Monica’s delusional—Clark’s logo threes sold out arenas, boosted WNBA valuation to $1.2B. Reese? Stat-padding queen on a 24-win team. Billion? Try therapy.” It pulled 45K likes, spawning memes of McNutt airballing a layup labeled “Reese’s ROTY Pick.” Reese’s ride-or-dies? A tidal wave. @SkyHighRebound posted a clip of Reese’s 20-rebound game vs. the Storm: “Clarity? Angel built the bridge Caitlin walks over. Billion for the blueprint—McNutt speaking TRUTH!” Viral gold: A Last-Tear Poa quote praising Reese as “the main reason women’s basketball changed,” racking 11K likes and replies like “Crown her already—Clark’s just the coronet.” Racial fault lines cracked wide: Threads accused McNutt of “reverse bias,” with one from @WNBAWoke: “Clark’s white savior shine gets the bag; Reese’s Black excellence gets excuses. Billion? Make it reparations.” Counter: @FeverFanatic: “Talent over tantrums—Reese laughed at Clark’s injury. That’s not clarity; that’s clout-chasing.” ESPN’s feeds? Flooded—5K comments on the official clip, split 60/40 anti-McNutt, with Sharpe circling back: “Monica’s got heart, but numbers don’t lie—Clark’s the GDP boost.”

McNutt’s no stranger to the storm; her career’s a highlight reel of hot takes—from defending Reese’s flagrant on Clark as “basketball, not beef” to hyping the duo’s star power in a BBC chat: “Caitlin and Angel? Household names fueling the surge.” Post-segment, she doubled down on X: “Said what I said. Reese’s impact: undeniable. Clark’s checks: earned. But equity? Overdue. Debate me.” It drew 200K engagements, including props from Wilson (“Monica’s mic drop—pay the pioneers”) and shade from Clark’s agent Erin Kane (“Focus on the court, not the contracts”). The “billion” line? A nod to systemic gripes—WNBA salaries still crumbs ($78K for Clark, $75K for Reese), while endorsements expose the divide: Clark’s “palatability” (read: white, Midwestern appeal) nets 115x her salary; Reese’s flair fights uphill. As Jemele Hill op-edded in The Atlantic: “Clarity means crediting Reese for the cultural lift Clark monetizes.”

Yet, Clark’s camp sees vindication. Her 2025? Injury-riddled quad tweak sidelined her August onward, but off-court? Unstoppable—Victoria’s Secret runway strut, State Farm spots, a butter sculpture at the Iowa Fair gone mega-viral (3M views). Reese? Wrist woes capped her at 24 games, but her pivot—Magic Johnson’s “Wealth Playbook” collab, women’s soccer stakes—screams savvy. Their next tilt? May 2026 in Chicago, a CBA-fueled salary surge ($100K min) potentially evening the bag. McNutt’s rant? Catalyst or controversy? X litigator @HoopsHerald: “Monica just auctioned the debate—Reese’s billion bid starts now.”

For now, the studio silence echoes louder than screams. McNutt’s blast isn’t just talk—it’s a referendum on who’s really “saving” women’s hoops. Clark cashes the checks; Reese builds the bank. Billion-dollar clarity? Coming soon to a highlight reel near you. Or is it? First Take teases a Reese roundtable Tuesday—tune in, or miss the memo.