Stephen A Smith Welcomes Monica McNutt Back On “First Take,” Clarifies Angel Reese & Caitlin Clark Comments

Stephen A Smith found himself in the midst of a pretty large controversy on Monday. Overall, it all had to do with the discourse surrounding Caitlin Clark and Chennedy Carter. During his conversation with Shannon Sharpe and Monica McNutt, Smith made it seem as though the WNBA players were jealous of Clark. This led to a significant conversation on race and how intersectionality plays within the WNBA. After all, black queer women make up a large percentage of the WNBA, and they have been helping to build the league long before Clark came into the picture.

Smith took offense later in the segment when McNutt rightfully noted that Smith could have been talking about the WNBA three years ago. This led to a huge fallout, with Smith going on his podcast and claiming he made McNutt’s career. Today, cooler heads ultimately prevailed as McNutt was back on First Take. In fact, Chiney Ogwumike was there as well. As for Smith, he clarified his remarks on Caitlin Clark and explained exactly how he feels about the situation.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith’s Beef With Jason Whitlock, Explained

Stephen A Smith Speaks

In his eyes, Clark deserves the acclaim she has received. However, he does feel like because she is white, she has been given more grace than some of her peers. For instance, when Angel Reese gets fouled, there isn’t as much outrage. He notes that black athletes across the globe have had to fight harder to get what they deserve, and that will not change as long as white people continue to be given the upper hand. Today’s conversation was certainly more productive than yesterday’s. Moving forward, fans are hopeful that the discourse around the league will center around competition, and the high level at which all of the league’s athletes are playing.

Let us know what you think of this take from Stephen A. Smith, in the comments section down below. What do you make of the discourse when it comes to Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese? Do you feel as though it has gotten out of hand? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

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Monica McNutt Clarifies Her WNBA Comments On Shannon Sharpe’s Podcast

In a heated conversation on Monday’s First Take, Monica McNutt and Stephen A. Smith discussed how the WNBA has been covered by the media. Before long, the media’s general coverage of the sport had shifted. This discussion was sparked by Saturday’s much-talked-about Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever game, in which Sky player Chennedy Carter committed a hard foul on Caitlin Clark that almost crossed the line into dirty play. McNutt expressed her dissatisfaction with the way the WNBA has been covered this season, pointing out that because of Clark’s fame, media outlets who haven’t previously covered the league are suddenly becoming interested.

In a swift reply, Stephen A. said that First Take had “more coverage than anyone” of the sport. In response, McNutt attacked First Take, claiming that Smith and the program “could have been doing this three years ago” before Clark increased the sport’s appeal. Stephen A. Smith did not take the dig well. He has since gone in on Monica McNutt, saying that she owes him all of her success as well as all the other women that appear on First Take. Last night on Shannon Sharpe’s late-night podcast, McNutt clarified her position.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Claps Back At Monica McNutt, Takes Credit For Her Success

Monica McNutt Discusses Stephen A. Smith Incident

The argument brought up by McNutt’s objections is intriguing. Given Clark’s celebrity status, how many talk programs across several networks, including First Take, have exaggerated the event between Chennedy Carter and Caitlin Clark beyond its true significance? In an interview with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson for the Nightcap podcast, McNutt expanded on her views on the subject, stating that she thinks the media has made it seem “unfair” that most WNBA players are against Clark. She said, “I think what I was frustrated with in our conversation earlier is that we can hold more than one truth. The idea of some players being jealous (of Clark)? Yes, that probably exists. But I think since Caitlin’s debut, there has been a large and loud push that it’s Caitlin versus the (WNBA). And that is unfair.”

Monica continued, “I mean, would you be jealous of someone who got a $28 million shoe deal before they ever stepped foot in the pros? I just need all of us to do a better job holding room for multiple truths. The prevailing idea that it is the WNBA versus Caitlin and that these women don’t understand the power of the eyeball she’s brought to the league. That’s just unfair.” Monica just wants the discussion to be less black and white and to look at the entire picture instead of just one lens. Overall, Monica McNutt continues to be right. We will see if Stephen A. has a rebuttal.

Read More: Monica McNutt Absolutely Cooks Stephen A. Smith For Lack Of WNBA Coverage

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Stephen A. Smith Claps Back At Monica McNutt, Takes Credit For Her Success

Yesterday, ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt called out Stephen A. Smith during First Take while debating the WNBA. Monday’s First Take included a contentious conversation between Shannon Sharpe, Monica McNutt, and Stephen A. Smith over the hard foul on Caitlin Clark. McNutt criticized Stephen A. in her closing remarks for waiting until this year to bring up the WNBA. Stephen A. Smith was left stunned and clearly outdone by Monica’s fair criticism. She responded to Smith saying, , “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.”  

It came after Stephen A. Smith was taking credit for covering women’s sports before anybody else, and McNutt checked him on that fact. Now Stephen A. Smith has responded. Stephen A. Smith is refusing to accept Monica McNutt’s remarks. Later yesterday evening, on his podcast, the ESPN personality addressed the jabs the two had exchanged on “First Take” on Monday. Stephen A. Smith went at Monica McNutt’s credibility while also simultaneously praising her, kind of like when someone says “no offense” before saying something offensive. Overall, the dig really got to Stephen A., but he is not taking it well.

Read More: Monica McNutt Absolutely Cooks Stephen A. Smith For Lack Of WNBA Coverage

Stephen A. Smith Responds To Monica McNutt

After going on a long tirade about Clark’s influence on the WNBA, Stephen A. Smith addressed the argument with McNutt, claiming that her remarks on the ESPN debate program “absolutely shocked” him. Stephen A. then took responsibility for several ESPN women’s careers saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am the executive producer of First Take. You ever heard of Monica McNutt? You have now. Because she’s on First Take a lot. Chiney Ogwumike, absolutely wonderful, spectacular basketball analyst. … ask her how it’s been to be on First Take. How about Andraya Carter? Who’s a rising star in this business. How much do you think First Take helped that? What about Kimberley Martin? What about Molly Qerim herself?”

Smith went on to criticize the individuals from whom he had “taken a lot of s–t” before describing what he believed McNutt to have said about him as “factually incorrect” and “highly offensive.” He continued, “I challenge anybody to find a show on sports television that discusses women’s issues that discuss the WNBA, or women’s sports that highlights and profiles female analysts more than ‘First Take.’ It’s been going on for years.” Smith said that even if McNutt and he disagreed, he would still “support” each other. Overall, it might have been an overreaction from Stephen A. Smith.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Calls Out Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard: “He’s The Worst Superstar In Sports”

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Monica McNutt Net Worth 2024: What Is The Basketball Analyst Worth?

Monica McNutt is an accomplished sports analyst and former basketball player. She has a net worth of $1.5 million as of 2024, according to IAmGoldPanda. Her journey from the basketball courts to the television screen showcases her versatility and dedication to sports journalism, making her a prominent figure in the sports media industry.

Monica’s career began on the basketball court, where she played as a guard for the Georgetown Hoyas. Her passion for sports and her analytical mind led her to pursue a career in sports journalism after completing her studies. With a degree in English and a master’s in journalism from the University of Maryland, she seamlessly transitioned from athlete to analyst, bringing a unique perspective to her commentary.

Athletic Foundations

Monica McNutt
TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Melissa Dalembert #42 of the South Florida Bulls and Monica McNutt #20 of the Georgetown Hoyas battle for a rebound during the game at the SunDome on January 9, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Monica McNutt’s early years were defined by her talent and dedication to basketball. Playing for the Georgetown Hoyas, she developed a deep understanding of the game, which later became the foundation of her sports analysis. Her on-court experience gave her insights into basketball’s strategies, challenges, and intricacies, making her commentary rich with firsthand knowledge.

During her college years, McNutt’s leadership and performance earned her recognition and respect from her peers and coaches. Her ability to dissect plays and understand team dynamics became evident, traits that would later enhance her career as a sports analyst. This strong athletic background set the stage for her successful transition to sports journalism, where her credibility and expertise quickly garnered attention.

Rising In Sports Media

Monica McNutt
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Monica McNutt attends 2023 espnW Summit NYC at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on May 04, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

After her collegiate basketball career, Monica McNutt ventured into sports journalism, starting as a reporter and analyst for various networks. Her big break came when she joined ESPN, where her engaging and insightful analysis quickly made her a standout figure. Covering major sports events and providing in-depth commentary on basketball, McNutt’s reputation as a knowledgeable and charismatic analyst grew.

Her work with ESPN includes appearances on SportsCenter, NBA Today, and other major sports programs, where she has become a trusted voice in basketball analysis. Monica’s ability to explain complex plays and strategies in an accessible manner has endeared her to both hardcore sports enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. Her presence on social media further amplifies her influence, allowing her to connect with a broader audience.

Expanding Horizons

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 11: Monica McNutt hosts Up2Us Sports 2022 Gala at Classic Car Club on October 11, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Up2Us Sports )

Beyond ESPN, Monica McNutt has expanded her horizons by contributing to various sports media platforms, including NBC Sports and Fox Sports. Her versatility in covering different sports and engaging storytelling has made her a sought-after analyst. Additionally, she has taken on roles as a host and commentator for major events, further showcasing her dynamic range in sports media.

Monica’s influence extends beyond traditional media. She is also a motivational speaker and advocate for women in sports. Her efforts to inspire and mentor young athletes, particularly women, reflect her commitment to fostering the next generation of sports professionals. Through workshops, speaking engagements, and her active presence on social media, McNutt continues to significantly impact both on and off the screen.

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Monica McNutt Absolutely Cooks Stephen A. Smith For Lack Of WNBA Coverage

With her early games with the Indiana Fever shattering WNBA audience records on numerous networks, former Iowa standout Caitlin Clark has drawn a tremendous amount of attention to the WNBA. That attention comes with a great deal of scrutiny, and both on and off the court, Clark faces a lot of opposition as she learns to negotiate the difficulties of life as a professional. Some of the coverage has gotten out of hand with personalities like Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe now speaking as authorities on a sport they have not shown an interest in until this season. ESPN basketball analyst Monica McNutt called out Stephen A. Smith during First Take while debating the WNBA.

This past weekend, after Clark’s Fever narrowly defeated Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, things reached a fever pitch. Before the game, Clark had expressed that she thought she was being “hammered” and wasn’t receiving the calls she deserved. However, late in the third quarter, Sky guard Chennedy Carter, who was waiting for an inbound pass, slammed her down from behind. The foul caused the Caitlin Clark discourse to get even worse. When the topic of the event came up at the First Take desk on Monday, Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and Monica McNutt got into a heated debate over it. McNutt concluded by criticizing Stephen A. for not bringing up the WNBA until this year.

Read More: Shannon Sharpe Goes Off On WNBA Players For Their Treatment Of Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese

Monica McNutt Calls Out Stephen A. Smith

Stephen A. Smith said, “Who talks about the WNBA, who talks about women, who talks about women’s sports more than First Take?” Monica McNutt returned fire, clapping back with, “Stephen A., respectfully, with your platform, you could have been doing this three years ago if you wanted to.” Stephen A. Smiths’ face turned white when McNutt jabbed back. Fans pointed out how shaken Stephen A. Smith was at the clapback, citing there is a lot of truth to her criticism. Despite the fact that McNutt is 100% accurate, Smith looked surprised and angry by McNutt’s remarks.

Like many devoted WNBA fans, McNutt is obviously annoyed by the lack of subtlety in the conversation surrounding the league at the moment and was prepared to do what few do on Smith’s show: call him out live. The conversation around the WNBA and Caitlin Clark has several layers and is pretty nuanced. Nuance and layers are not something Stephen A. Smith or Shannon Sharpe are interested in covering, if we are being honest. Overall, Monica McNutt stood on business and is completely right.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Apologizes To Kyrie Irving: “I Was Wrong”

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