WNBPA blasts USA Today’s Christine Brennan over controversial Caitlin Clark question

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association has issued a statement condemning USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan for her interview with DiJonai Carrington

DiJonai Carrington and Caitlin Clark faced off in the WNBA Playoffs (Image: (Image: GETTY))

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) came out swinging against USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan following her interview with DiJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun about Caitlin Clark.

With tensions high before Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA playoffs between the Sun and the Indiana Fever, Brennan put Carrington on the spot about an incident in Game 1 involving Caitlin Clark. Carrington stood her ground, denying any malicious intent, and said: “I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye,” she told Brennan.

She went on: “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.”

Sparked by a social media storm over the exchange between Carrington and Brennan, the WNBPA blasted Brennan for the insinuation in her questioning that Carrington deliberately targeted 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 began.

“We were not going to distract from their successes, nor would we dim the glow of the spotlight that centred 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,” reports the Mirror US.

DiJonai Carrington caught Clark in the eye while trying to block a shot in Game 1 (Image: (Image: X))
“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.

“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 their defence of Brennan, USA Today Sports hit back at the WNBPA’s remarks, stating: “Journalists ask questions and seek truth,”.

“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.”