Even with the WNBA semifinals in full swing, much of the media coverage surrounding the league is still focused on the off-the-court drama involving USA Today reporter Christine Brennan and Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington.
In an interview with Carrington following Game 1 of Connecticut’s first round series against the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark, the veteran sportswriter Brennan questioned the Sun guard’s motives regarding a play in which she made contact with Clark’s eye. Brennan’s line of questioning has been scrutinized by some for being leading, and drew an emphatic statement from the WNBA Players Association last week which called for the reporter’s credentials to be revoked.
A message on behalf of the 144…🧵
1/5 pic.twitter.com/2HSvQit73J
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) September 27, 2024
“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. Those credentials mean that you can ask anything, but they also mean that you know the difference between what you should and should not.”
Now, some members of the media are weighing in. In a Washington Post story from Ben Strauss published Wednesday, two notable journalists went on-the-record criticizing Brennan. Gregory Lee Jr., who has worked at outlets spanning The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and The Athletic, took aim at what he sees to be Brennan’s overwhelmingly positive coverage of Clark.
“Her coverage has gone way beyond what is normal,” said Gregory Lee Jr., a former editor at the Athletic and professor at Loyola University New Orleans, who said he wouldn’t speak with Brennan for her book even though she reached out. “The way she’s covering Caitlin Clark, you’re asking, ‘Is she Caitlin Clark’s PR agent?’”
Also speaking to Strauss, Connecticut Sun sideline reporter Terrika Foster-Brasby seemingly concurred with the WNBAPA statement that Brennan’s credentials should be in question.
“I think it’s wonderful she wants to write a book on Caitlin Clark, but I do think it’s a gross misuse to use those media availabilities to gather content for your book and make players uncomfortable.”
…“It’s disheartening for those other athletes who have wanted an opportunity to have media coverage and you’re taking the opportunity to speak with them but never ask anything about them.”
While some reporters disagree with the way Brennan went about asking the question, others think the reporter was well within her rights as a journalist. Sports Illustrated columnist Michael Rosenberg told the Post that pulling Brennan’s credentials would be an extreme measure.
“Decline to answer someone’s questions, complain to them privately, or rip them publicly. That’s all fair. But I think credentials should only be pulled for clear violations of professional ethics.”
The question on whether the WNBA will listen to its player’s association will soon get an answer, as Brennan confirmed that USA Today will be requesting a credential for her to cover the WNBA Finals. The league certainly finds itself in a tough position. On the one hand, there is clearly animosity between the players and Brennan, and the league would likely want to avoid another incident that could overshadow the product on the court.
On the other hand, athletes are expected to answer difficult, sometimes even unwanted questions, from journalists all the time. Denying Brennan’s credentials would set a poor precedent for future athlete-reporter interactions, and could even produce a chilling effect on what other reporters are willing to ask players.
The league will now have to weigh whether to side with its players, who create the product, or the media, who give it a platform. It’s an unenviable decision that the WNBA faces just over a week before the Finals are set to tip off.
