The popularity of the WNBA has surged, yet an apparent disconnect exists between players and media scrutiny, as highlighted in Christine Brennan’s new book, On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports. The book details a controversial incident involving WNBA player DiJonai Carrington and journalist Brennan, who engaged in a heated exchange regarding Carrington’s behavior during a game. Carrington had poked fellow player Caitlin Clark, leading to speculation online about whether it was intentional. Brennan, in her role as a journalist, sought to address this by asking Carrington pointed questions. However, the player denied any wrongdoing, leading to further complications.
Following the interaction with Carrington, another player, DeWanna Bonner, confronted Brennan directly, accusing her of "attacking" and "disrespecting" Carrington. This confrontation highlights the sensitive relationship between athletes and media, revealing that certain responses may be defensive, especially in a sport wrestling with its identity and growth. Brennan later spoke with members of the Connecticut Sun organization and received support from the then-head coach Stephanie White, who somewhat validated her inquiry, emphasizing that journalistic integrity should not be compromised.
The conversation took a revealing turn when a WNBA official stated that many players were ill-equipped to handle media exposure. This official expressed concern about players being "shielded" in college, resulting in a lack of understanding regarding what constitutes real media coverage. This sentiment is startling, considering that the league is in a critical phase of growth, with heightened visibility and audience engagement. The official’s anonymity was requested, indicating the sensitive nature of these discussions amidst rising scrutiny of athletes’ preparedness for the media landscape.
Brennan’s book continues to reveal insights from her discussions, focusing not only on Carrington but emphasizing a larger cultural issue within female sports. The official’s remark about players’ lack of preparedness challenges both the women’s sports environment and the role of institutions in equipping players for the professional arena. The comment that players "just don’t get it" serves as a critique of how athletes are trained to navigate the complexities of media interactions in a world where scrutiny is unavoidable.
Further complicating the narrative, Carrington later expressed dissatisfaction with media figures, accusing them of disparaging her teammate, NaLyssa Smith. Brennan contends that the commentary about Smith was legitimate observation on game strategy, rather than personal attacks. This illustrates the tension that can arise between players and journalists, who sometimes have differing perspectives on what constitutes appropriate discourse around the game.
Amidst these challenges, the WNBA faces not only the task of fostering a more robust player-media relationship but also a broader societal expectation for its athletes to engage with the public and showcase their personalities. As Brennan’s book chronicles these incidents, it highlights an ongoing conversation around the role of media in women’s sports and the expectation for players to adapt to an ever-evolving landscape, allowing for a change in how women athletes are viewed and portrayed both on and off the court.
