Rachel DeMita’s Departure from Big3 Over Support for Caitlin Clark
Sports personality Rachel DeMita has confirmed that she is leaving her role as a courtside reporter for the Big3 basketball league following strong backlash to her public endorsements of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The incident highlights ongoing tension within women’s basketball and has sparked broader debate about loyalty, athlete safety, and league dynamics.
Joining the Big3 in June 2024
DeMita, 35, initially joined the Big3 in June 2024 as a sideline reporter. The league—co-founded in 2017 by Ice Cube—features former NBA stars like Lisa Leslie, Jason Richardson, and Frank “Frank Nitty” McGuire. DeMita’s responsibilities included delivering behind-the-scenes content and amplifying the voices of Big3’s star athletes (e.g., Nancy Lieberman, Lisa Leslie, Frank Nitty) .
Despite her relatively short tenure, DeMita quickly became one of the most recognizable faces of the league. Her high-profile presence resonated with fans—thanks in part to her strong social media following: nearly 279,000 on X (formerly Twitter) and over a million on Instagram .
The Catalyst: Support for Caitlin Clark
DeMita’s relationship with Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, one of the most talked-about young stars in women’s basketball, became the breaking point. On June 14, 2025, she shared a clip of Clark hitting a deep three-pointer during a Fever game. The post, shared on X while she was working a Big3 broadcast, included the caption: “for those who questioned the hype.” This public endorsement of Clark during her Big3 duty crossed an unspoken boundary, promoting a star belonging to a rival league .
But that wasn’t the first such move. On May 3, 2025, DeMita had tweeted a photo of herself sporting Clark’s No. 22 Indiana Fever jersey, shared with her sizable social media audience, signaling a clear affinity for the WNBA guard. Both actions reportedly aggravated league executives .
“Final Straw” for Big3 Leadership
According to sources cited by Front Office Sports and New York Post, DeMita’s repeated promotion of Clark—especially during Big3 games—was deemed unacceptable. Her inclination toward publicly supporting a WNBA rival was labeled the “final straw” by league decision-makers, precipitating her removal .
While the Big3 hasn’t issued an official statement, the consensus from inside the organization is that DeMita’s public loyalty to Clark overshadowed her role as a spokesperson for the league. This view was reinforced by the decision to let her go shortly after the climactic June 14 incident .
DeMita’s Broader Advocacy for Clark and the WNBA
DeMita has long been vocal about Caitlin Clark’s impact on women’s basketball, both on and off the court. She was critical of Team USA’s decision not to include Clark in the 2024 U.S. Olympic roster, calling it a missed marketing opportunity for the national team .
Beyond Olympian snubs, DeMita has consistently defended Clark against unfair comparisons, criticisms, and hostile treatment—especially during her rookie WNBA season. She has pointed out how Clark faced physical defense, aggressive fouls, and even online abuse, arguing that the league did not protect its star adequately .
DeMita has further advocated for the WNBA to clean up “drama” and jealousy directed at younger players like Clark, urging the league to promote newcomers like JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers equally . She contends that the jealousy surrounding Clark undermines the league’s potential and creates unnecessary toxicity .
The Ongoing Caitlin Clark Debate
Incident with Connecticut Sun
Most recently, during a confrontation between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, Clark was hit in the eye by Jacy Sheldon and shoved to the court by Marina Mabrey. The latter was later upgraded from a technical to a flagrant foul, which normally would have resulted in an ejection—causing outrage that player safety standards were not consistently enforced oped that Clark’s involvement would elevate the league’s profile. DeMita’s pro-Clark statements conflicted with these efforts and posed reputational challenges, even featuring during the broadcast of games.
Loyalty vs. Authenticity
The situation puts DeMita at the crossroads of personal authenticity and professional responsibility. While working for Big3, her identification as a champion for women’s basketball—and especially Clark—appealed to fans and broadened discourse. At the same time, it clashed with her obligations to present unbiased coverage and avoid openly promoting rival leagues.
What’s Next for DeMita?
At present, DeMita has not responded publicly to the news of her departure It remains unclear whether she’ll continue attending Big3 games or pivot to other media roles centered on the WNBA or Clark’s career.. It remains unclear whether she’ll continue attending Big3 games or pivot to other media roles centered on the WNBA or Clark’s career.
Caitlin Clark’s Rise and Ongoing Challenges
Clark remains a central figure in women’s basketball, renowned for her elite shooting range, court vision, and star power. Her rookie season shattered both records and barriers: she drew massive fan interest, navigated intense physical defense, and triggered polarizing media narratives—earning her both praise and criticism Despite her success, Clark’s physical safety is under scrutiny. Repeated hard fouls and fraught officiating—like the incident with Mabrey—have prompted ongoing questions about the league’s commitment to safeguarding its marquee players.
Despite her success, Clark’s physical safety is under scrutiny. Repeated hard fouls and fraught officiating—like the incident with Mabrey—have prompted ongoing questions about the league’s commitment to safeguarding its marquee players broadcasters and analysts—including DeMita—are caught in the middle, navigating the complexities of promoting women’s sports while remaining neutral.
In summary:
Rachel DeMita exited the Big3 following repeated public praise for Caitlin Clark during her duties, culminating in a June 14 clip post captioned “for those who questioned the hype,” which became the final tipping point.
DeMita’s ongoing advocacy for Clark has positioned her as a prominent voice in the discourse around league loyalty, athlete safety, and narrative bias.
The incident reflects broader tensions: loyalty to one league vs. authenticity, the evolving power and influence of women’s basketball stars, and the role of sports media as both promoter and reporter.
Through this episode, the boundaries of professional sports reporting, athlete influence, and league competition are once again in sharp focus—underscoring how one powerful voice can shift industry norms, fan expectations, and competitive strategy in real time.
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