Caitlin Clark’s name dragged into firing mess she had nothing to do with

When Caitlin Clark got back on the floor after missing five games due to injury, it was a momentous occasion in the sports world. While most happily enjoyed the show CC put on against the reigning defending champion New York Liberty, WNBA enthusiast and former NBA2K host Rachel DeMita was let go from her job with The Big3, according to Front Office Sports.

Apparently, they didn't like that DeMita, like the rest of the world, was captivated by Clark's return as she was working a live event at the same time the Fever/Liberty game was airing. Rachel shared a tweet in support of the 6'0" sniper while she was working, and it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

It seems petty, if you ask me. Clark is one of the biggest stars in the country. The proof is in the numbers, as that game drew 2.2 million viewers per ESPN. That's the third-most for a WNBA game on ABC in the history of the sport. The Big3 may be taking itself a little too seriously, considering recent news.

DeMita's firing reinforced a double standard in sports media

The little guy doesn't get as much leeway as a larger name in this space, even if that larger name has a higher responsibility. Stephen A. Smith was just caught in 4K playing Solitaire on his phone when he should have been paying attention to an NBA Finals game that he was there to cover.

Stephen A. is tasked with talking about the game on a panel before, during, and after the game. He's also required to go on television for the Worldwide Leader in Sports and talk about the series in detail. That extra detail not available to the average sports fan is only available to him because he is afforded access.

Yet not only was he not fired for his lack of interest in the game he's paid handsomely to cover, it appears he wasn't reprimanded either. He actually doubled down after being caught, first by lying and claiming that he was only playing the mobile card game during a timeout.

Unfortunately for ESPN's mouthpiece, another fan had the video from a different angle showing the action taking place while SAS was locked into his playing hand. After that, he just owned it and said his critics can kiss his you know what.

That's a lack of accountability and a double standard if I ever saw one. Unless you're telling me that The Big3 has higher standards than ESPN. In which I would say that they need to get over themselves. DeMita has been popular among basketball fans for years, and sharing a quick tweet is hardly worth losing your job over. Especially when Smith gets to skate after a far more egregious act.