WNBA Players Association Accuses Reporter of Trying to ‘Bait’ Player With Caitlin Clark Question: ‘Indecent and Downright Insincere’

Michael Conroy/AP

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association released a scathing statement accusing a reporter of trying to “bait” a player with a question about Caitlin Clark.

In Game 1 of the first-round playoff series between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun, Sun guard DiJonai Carrington tried to swipe at the ball and poked Clark in the eye. The incident quickly set social media ablaze, with some accusing Carrington of doing it intentionally.

The next day, both players confirmed it wasn’t an intentional act. During Carrington’s media availability, however, USA Today reporter Christine Brennan asked her if she meant to hit Clark in the eye. Although Carrington denied it, Brennan followed up that question by asking if she and Sun teammate Marina Mabrey later laughed about the incident. The broadcast showed the two smiling about something later in the game.

“No,” Carrington said. “I just told you I didn’t even know I hit her, so I can’t laugh about something I didn’t know happened.”

Online, Brennan was widely criticized for the question.

On Friday, WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson revealed the union was aware of Brennan’s questions and urged USA Today to take action:

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. We were not going to distract from their successes, nor would we dim the glow of the spotlight that centered 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.

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.

Instead of demonstrating the cornerstones of journalism ethics like integrity, objectivity, and a fundamental commitment to truth, you have chosen to be indecent and downright insincere.

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.

We see you.

Our relationship with the media is a delicate one that we will continue to strengthen because the media is essential to growing the game. No one knows that better than we do.

But the players are entitled to better. They are entitled to professionalism.

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.

At the time of writing, Brennan had not publicly acknowledged the WNBPA’s statement.