Getty Image
It didn’t take long for comedian Shane Gillis to stir up controversy at the ESPYs. On Wednesday night, Gillis hosted the annual ESPYs in Los Angeles.
During his opening monologue, the audience gasped at Gillis’ controversial Caitlin Clark 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.”
“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.”
— Shane Gillis
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 17, 2025
Gillis followed up with another Clark joke on the broadcast.
“We have a lot in common, we are both whites
Of course, Gillis’ joke received backlash on social media from WNBA fans.
Talk about cringy.
Shane Gillis is a case study in why comedians whose primary style is being edgy and fake dumb shouldn’t be hosting award shows. There’s dozens of ways to be funny about athletes without being degrading.
(His SNL monologue was also cringe AF)#wnba https://t.co/hUruDfFc09
— Trent Harvey (@TheTrentHarvey) July 17, 2025