Caitlin Clark's popularity comes from 'pretty privilege and white privilege' says The View co-host Sunny Hostin

The View co-host Sunny Hostin insisted that Caitlin Clark's popularity can be credited to her race and appearance.

Clark, who had a historic NCAA career at Iowa, blasted into stardom this year after another successful season with the Hawkeyes. Clark's star grew even brighter when she became the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

On Wednesday's edition of the ABC talk show, Hostin spoke her mind about the privileges that played into Clark's ever-growing popularity.

'I do think that there is a thing called pretty privilege,' Hostin said. 'There is a thing called White privilege. There is a thing called tall privilege, and we have to acknowledge that.'

'And so part of it is about race because if you think about the Brittney Griners of the world, why did she have to go to play in Russia? Because they wouldn't pay her,' she said of the WNBA.

The discussion sprung from the panel addressing former ESPN host Jemele Hill stating that Clark's fame is a byproduct of her race and sexuality. While agreeing to the core of the argument, Hostin said that she has no issues with Clark bringing eyes to the league.

'Now, Caitlin Clark is bringing this money, these sponsorships, we hope, into the league, and other players will benefit from it,' Hostin said. 'But I do think that she is more relatable to more people because she's White, because she's attractive, and unfortunately, there still is that stigma against the LGBTQ+ community.'

'Seventy percent of the WNBA is black. A third of the players are in the LGBTQ+ community, and we have to do something about that stigma in this country. I think people have a problem with basketball-playing women that are lesbians. Who cares? They are great athletes.'

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin responded by saying she became a fan of the WNBA because Clark is 'so fun to watch' - noting that it had nothing to do with her race.

While co-host Whoopi Goldberg argued that she and Hostin have been trying to advocate for the WNBA for years, the former also pushed back on Hill's comments.

'To have her reduced that way bothered me a lot because this is her record,' Goldberg said, pointing to her note card.

'Unless you can show me who's got a better record than this, this is why she's getting the attention she's getting because she's a damn good player and doesn't matter whether she's straight or gay. Ain't nobody crying when she's making those balls.'

After Clark signed a lucrative $28 million deal with Nike post-graduation, Hill called out sports brands for not sponsoring more diverse athletes.

'Black women are often erased from the picture,' Hill said. 'There's plenty of room to highlight and celebrate Caitlin Clark's popularity while also discussing ways in which to not erase Black women from a league that they have built and continue to build.'

So far in her rookie season, Clark is averaging 17 points, four rebounds, and 5.5 assists as the Fever are off to a 0-4 start. Nevertheless, the WNBA has seen a spike in ticket sales and viewership with each game featuring Indiana's newest star.