Here is the rewritten content in my own words:
Editor’s Note: The excerpts below are from "In Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Women’s Sports Revolution," released July 8, 2025, by Christine Brennan. Copyright©2025 Christine Brennan. Used with permission from Scribner, a Simon & Schuster division.
Just a day and a half after the Indiana Fever finished their season, on September 27 at 1:41 pm Eastern, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) posted an extensive statement on social media.
Message from 144 Players:
This week was dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary performances of A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dijonai Carrington, and Napheesa Collier. We didn’t want to overshadow their achievements or dim the spotlight they earned. Now, however, we must stand up for them and all our members.
The WNBPA called out what they described as “BS” in professional media coverage. They criticized journalism that they saw as deliberately feeding harmful narratives of racism, homophobia, and misogyny for social media controversy. Journalists like Christine Brennan were accused of crossing ethical lines by abusing their privileges and not respecting journalistic integrity.
The WNBPA emphasized the importance of fair media treatment and professionalism, urging USA Today to review its newsroom practices and ensure unbiased coverage. They called on leagues to protect the integrity of the game and its athletes.
Two hours later, USA Today responded, defending their mission to ask questions and seek truth fairly. Executive Editor Roxanna Scott reaffirmed Christine Brennan’s reputation as a respected journalist committed to gaining players’ perspectives.
The Incident Explained:
On September 24, between Fever playoff games, Dijonai Carrington was interviewed about a controversial moment where she appeared to hit Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark near the eyes — a gesture that sparked social media rumors alleging intent to injure. Carrington denied any intent, saying she was simply playing and didn’t know she hit Clark.
Carrington’s response was videoed and widely viewed. Matthew Byrne of Clutch Point later asked Clark about the incident, to which Clark laughed and dismissed any notion of intent. These interviews were part of normal journalistic questioning to clarify the situation.
However, tensions flared. Dewanna Bonner, Clark’s teammate, confronted Brennan, accusing her of disrespecting players. Despite attempts to clarify that honest questions were asked, Bonner left the conversation upset.
A few minutes after Carrington’s interview, Connor was seen verbally confronting journalists in the arena catering area, upset over perceived negative comments about her teammate Narissa Smith, which journalists explained were unfounded misunderstandings.
WNBA officials later evaluated the interview questions and confirmed they were appropriate, though noting players may be unprepared for real media scrutiny as many come from protected collegiate environments.
Fallout:
The controversy escalated with social media backlash, including calls from the players’ union to ban Brennan from interviewing WNBA players. There was a divide between those who viewed the questioning as fair journalistic practice and others who worried it fostered negative narratives and social media attacks on Black players.
Prominent voices in sports media defended Brennan’s work, highlighting the importance of critical journalism in women’s sports. Some reporters acknowledged the need for honest coverage rather than a protective "soft" approach.
CNN’s Jake Tapper discussed the issue on his show, emphasizing the complexity of race, politics, and fair reporting in the WNBA.
Fan Take:
This controversy highlights the challenging balance between fair journalistic inquiry and protecting athletes from harmful narratives, a critical issue for WNBA fans who care deeply about the league’s growth and respect. How the league navigates media relations going forward could shape public perception and the future spotlight on women’s professional basketball.
