WNBPA slams USA Today columnist over Caitlin Clark question to DiJonai Carrington

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has issued a statement slamming USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan for her interview with Connecticut Sun star DiJonai Carrington.

Before Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA playoff series between the Sun and Indiana Fever, Brennan questioned Carrington about whether she deliberately aimed for Caitlin Clarks’ eye after an incident in Game 1. Carrington firmly denied any intention to hit Clark in the face, explaining that she was merely trying to play the ball.

“I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye,” she responded to Brennan. “That doesn’t even make sense to me.

“But, no, I didn’t. I didn’t know I hit her, actually. I was trying to make a play on the ball, and I guess I followed through, and I hit her. So obviously, it’s never intentional. That’s not even the type of player that I am.”

Following the viral social media reaction to Carrington and Brennan’s conversation, the WNBPA released a statement criticizing Brennan and the way she posed her question. The association felt that Brennan’s question suggested that the Sun star was intentionally targeting Clark.

“This week was dedicated to celebrating and amplifying A’ja, Caitlin, DiJonai, and Napheesa for their hard work and truly exceptional performances all season long,” the statement started. “We were not going to distract from their successes, nor would we dim the glow of the spotlight that centered them. They have earned that focus and celebration.

“But we will take this moment now to stand up for them and the rest of our members. Every single one of them. Because we call B.S. 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 in a narrative that is false and designed to fuel racist, homophobic, and misogynistic vitriol on social media. You cannot hide behind your tenure.

DiJonai Carrington caught Clark in the eye while trying to block a shot in Game 1

“You have abused your privileges and do not deserve the credentials issued to you. And you certainly are not entitled to any interviews with the members of this union or any other athlete in sport. … We call on USA Today Network to review its Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms and address what we believe is a violation of several core principles, including seeking and reporting the truth.

“USA Today Sports should explain why a reporter with clear bias and ulterior motives was assigned to cover the league. We also urge the league to review its policies and take measures to prevent such issues, protecting the integrity of the game and its players.”

In a statement defending Brennan, USA Today Sports responded to the WNBPA’s comments. “Journalists ask questions and seek truth,” the statement read.

“We reject the notion that the interview perpetuated any narrative other than to get the player’s perspective directly. Christine Brennan is well regarded as an advocate for women and athletes, but first and foremost, she’s a journalist.”

Carrington has been subjected to hateful and racist messages on social media throughout this ordeal. The 26 year old shared an email on her Instagram account with the subject line “Worthless n—– b—-” and the sentence: “I hope someone —– you and cuts your head off.”

This isn’t the first instance of a player being targeted by racist attacks seemingly from Fever fans. Former WNBA star Renee Montgomery voiced her concerns about the racism players have experienced from fans seemingly defending Clark, one of the WNBA’s biggest stars.

“Something sinister is happening online with Caitlin’s fanbase and these stans needs to be addressed,” the two-time WNBA champion said [h/t The Daily Mail]. “… A lot of the fans on social media feel the same – that ain’t a representation of us.”

“I like when our fans are so engaged and so passionate that they just don’t like the other team. … But being racist, sexist and violent with your words – come on now, what are we doing? … It seems they have found a home in this fanbase.”