The first week of the 2024 WNBA season is officially in the books. Caitlin Clark made her highly-anticipated rookie debut for Indiana. Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas already pulled her first triple double of the season (and almost got a second one). And Kahleah Copper showed out for Phoenix —not once but twice — dropping a new career-high 38 points against Atlanta, and 37 on Las Vegas.
Yes, women’s basketball is back and with it, millions of viewers are tuning into to ESPN to watch the action unfold. Which means ESPN’s infamous in-game coaches interviews are also back.
As an integral part of its live broadcast, ESPN commentators loft a few game-related questions at coaches, aiming for real-time talkbacks to enhance the viewing experience at certain points in game. The questions, ranging from overall strategy and what was said in team huddles to in-game adjustments and player performances, take place while the game is in play.
We live in an age where multi-viewing has become the norm. We read and text and tweet on our smartphones while watching sports on TV while making dinner while listening to music in the background on spotify while another sporting event plays on our tablet. It shouldn’t be an issue for viewers to listen to coach’s interviews during the game. But when ESPN cuts to a side-by-side picture, with a zoom-in of the coach on one side and live game action on the other, all while the broadcasters and the coach are involved in a back and forth conversation, it’s a bit much to take in.
Have to be honest, I’m not a fan of this at all. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I just don’t think it adds anything whatsoever to the broadcast. If it’s during a timeout, fine. But as game action is going on, it just seems like too much. https://t.co/iydqvS4ptu
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) May 21, 2024
The interviews, though planned, also appear ill-timed and distracting for the coaches, especially for the home team because they take their turn at the start of the fourth quarter, when the game is at its most crucial point.
During Las Vegas’ home opener against Phoenix, Aces head coach Becky Hammon appeared annoyed during her live in-game interview with Debbie Antonelli and Tiffany Greene at the start of the fourth quarter when technical difficulties arose.
Hammon, who often wears her expression on her sleeve, was visibly frustrated during the interview malfunction but went on to explain it wasn’t because of the broadcast team.
“I didn’t hear the question. I heard the first one and then there was just this man super loud in my ear,” she told the Las Vegas Review Journal. “There was no guy on the call. I couldn’t hear [Greene and Antonelli] at all.”
Longtime WNBA analyst Rebecca Lobo explained via text that the broadcast team meets with every coach before every game and no one has complained about the interviews or the setup. If the game is close or in the middle of a tense moment, she tries to ask quick questions and expects even quicker answers.
“I do think they have value for the audience,” Lobo said. “Technical difficulties are always frustrating, but I don’t think we experienced any in late season or the playoffs last year.”
There is something to be said for the additional insight that comes with what coaches are thinking and how they are game-planning in real time. But when the crowd noise and the game action is occurring simultaneously, it’s hard to focus and actually hear what coaches are saying. When the game is close or if the coach pauses mid-answer to yell something to their team because, well, they’re in the middle of coaching, it makes for an awkward interaction for everyone involved, including the viewers.
Technical difficulties aside, it’s fair to wonder if the audience would be better served if the interviews were held right before the fourth quarter began or during a designated timeout like they are in the college game. The information gleaned is just as beneficial, and game action isn’t interrupted in the process.
The ESPN in-game coaches interviews overall are not new. The network conducts similar type of interviews across other major sports broadcasts.
“Fans want more access, and our WNBA in-game coaches’ interviews aim to bring them closer to the game,” said Sara Gaiero, Vice President, Production, ESPN. “The WNBA has been progressive in providing in-game access, and we are grateful to the league and coaches for this unique opportunity during crucial moments of the game. At ESPN, we constantly evaluate these and other access opportunities to ensure they add value and enhance the broadcast and fan experience.”
The WNBA, which has a broadcasting deal with ESPN through 2025, mandates that all coaches participate.
