The ESPYS are usually a night for celebrating the best in sports — but this year, comedian Shane Gillis made sure a few laughs (and maybe a few groans) were part of the show, too. One of his punchlines? A joke about Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.

And let’s just say… not everyone found it equally funny.

The Joke That Sparked the Buzz

During his opening monologue, Gillis slipped in a quip referencing Clark’s rise to fame and her whirlwind first season in the WNBA. While some audience members laughed along, others sat stone-faced, unsure whether the joke hit the mark or crossed a line.

Social media quickly lit up, with clips of the moment spreading across X, TikTok, and Instagram within minutes.

Fans React: Laughter, Cringe, and Everything in Between

Those who laughed said it was all in good fun and that Clark is big enough of a star to take a joke.

Those who cringed felt the joke was unnecessary or even disrespectful, especially given the intense scrutiny Clark has faced all season.

Some fans were just surprised she was mentioned at all, saying it proves how much she’s already broken into mainstream sports culture.

One X user summed it up perfectly: “You know you’ve made it when you’re the subject of an ESPYS joke — even if it’s a bad one.”

Clark’s Response?

As of now, Caitlin Clark hasn’t publicly commented on the joke — and given her focus on basketball, she might just shrug it off. Still, knowing her competitive and confident personality, fans are curious to see if she’ll address it in a lighthearted way later on.

The Bigger Picture

Whether you loved or hated Gillis’ joke, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s impact on sports is undeniable. The fact that she’s part of the ESPYS conversation at all shows just how much she’s crossed over from WNBA standout to household name.