The whole situation really sucks, no one wins with this short sighted contempt and jealously. If Clark reacts or says what's likely really on her mind, it just riles up the bitterness even more and her experience becomes more miserable. If the league hands out suspensions, these bitter players just become martyrs and more emboldened. If Clark decides it's not worth it and and goes to play overseas, she's going to be branded a coward. She's probably handling as best as possible by taking the high road, but the whole thing really pisses me off.
Agree that it’s a bad situation all around. W should have been prepared for this but it’s obvious now they were just fixated on all this additional exposure that was coming and just figured that things would all be groovy. Piss poor leadership. Now they find all parties in corners that will be difficult to get themselves out of.
While I don’t suspect Caitlin would do it, I do think there’s a way she could back out of this mess and avoid the “coward” label, however, at least among those who aren’t haters already (doesn’t matter what she does in their eyes).
At some point she COULD come out with something like:
- It’s been lifelong dream to play in this league and she’ll be forever grateful she not only achieved it, but was the top draft pick overall. So many thanks to Fever organization, players, fans, everyone who has supported, yada yada yada. All Caitlin speak stuff.
- That being said, she has ALWAYS said that her number one goals have been to be herself and have fun. She could say that at this moment in time, it doesn’t appear as though this is the place where she can reach those goals. Extremely painful and difficult decision, yada yada, but she’s accepted an offer to play overseas. Just feels as though her style is a better fit there right now. Difficult to leave because she knows these are the best players in the world (wink wink), but it’s just the right thing to do right now. More Caitlin stuff.
- People who say “don’t you care about becoming a W legend, leading scorer, leading assists, etc.,” she counters with what she’s always said which is records and recognition are nice but that’s never been what it’s about for her.
- Finishes with how proud she is of where the women’s game is now, that it’s only going to continue to get bigger (although she’s obviously smart and knows the W will go back on life support without her), maybe she can help create something similar in Europe for women’s sports. And she’s not closing a door, hopefully just opening a new one. More Caitlin.
Again, wouldn’t put my money on this happening, at least not for a while. She’s probably too competitive. But she’s human, too. Depends on how miserable she becomes. Life is too short. I think she of all people has options is all I’m saying.