WNBA Players Want Reporter Banned For Asking About Caitlin Clark
The WNBA Players Association has taken issue with a veteran reporter.
During their first-round series against the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington poked Caitlin Clark in the eye while swatting for the ball. USA Today columnist Christine Brennan later asked Carrington if she intentionally hit Clark. Carrington (and Clark) denied any intent, but Brennan followed up by asking if she was laughing about the incident on the court.
WNBA players are reportedly angry with Brennan for pressing the questions to Carrington, who has received online harassment from fans who still think she hit Clark on purpose.
According to Ben Strauss of The Washington Post, the WNBA Players Association called for the league to revoke Brennan’s press credential.
“To unprofessional members of the media like Christine Brennan: You are not fooling anyone. That so-called interview in the name of journalism was a blatant attempt to bait a professional athlete into participating into a narrative that is false and designed to fuel racist, homophobic, and misogynistic vitriol on social media,” the statement read. “You cannot hide behind your tenure. You have abused your privileges and do not deserve the credentials issued to you.”
UNCASVILLE, CT – JUNE 10: DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun plays defense against Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game on June 10, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jackson, the president of the WNBA Players Association, said she was bothered by an “exhausting” conversation with Brennan. She said the columnist was “doing a disservice to the history” of the league by focusing exclusively on Clark.
Brennan, who previously worked for the Washington Post, is currently writing an “unauthorized” book focused on Clark. Her work, including frequent criticism of the United States leaving the No. 1 pick off the Olympic roster, is often centered around Indiana’s star rookie.
“Her coverage has gone way beyond what is normal,” college professor and former Athletic editor Gregory Lee Jr. told Struass. “The way she’s covering Caitlin Clark, you’re asking, ‘Is she Caitlin Clark’s PR agent?'”
According to Strauss, Sun player DeWanna Bonner confronted Brennan after her question to Carrington. However, Brennan defended her inquiry as “journalism 101,” and USA Today will request a credential for her to cover the WNBA Finals.
“It’s something that I have done in the entirety of my career,” Brennan said, “and I think every other journalist has done the entirety of his or her career.”
