Longtime WNBA Official: 'Our Players Just Don't Get It'
A longtime WNBA official made a telling admission to USA TODAY journalist Christine Brennan.
Brennan, a longtime sports reporter and columnist, took a lot of heat last year for her Caitlin Clark coverage. She asked WNBA guard DiJonai Carrington following an Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun game if she intentionally poked Clark in the eye. The WNBA Players' Association was not happy.
Advertisement
The WNBAPA called for Brennan, a respected journalist, to lose her media credential.
WNBA Players' Association executive director Terri Jackson was furious. Jackson called Brennan's question "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."
She called for USA TODAY to punish Brennan.
"USA Today Sports should explain why a reporter with clear bias and ulterior motives was assigned to cover the league," Jackson added.
Brennan, who is releasing a book, "On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports," spoke to a longtime WNBA official who admitted that most women's basketball players just don't get it when it comes to media coverage.
Advertisement
WNBA players are now facing the kind of media coverage that NFL, MLB, NBA, etc. players have faced for decades.
"Unfortunately, most of our players have zero idea what real media exposure is," the league official told Brennan.
"They don't know what real coverage is, they have been shielded at college, and then they come to the WNBA not knowing what real questions are. Frankly, our players just don't get it."
UNCASVILLE, CT - JUNE 10: DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun plays defense against Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever during the game on June 10, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)As the WNBA increases in popularity, so too, will the media coverage. It's not always going to be positive. And there are going to be hard questions.
That is something the league should welcome, though, as it's a clear sign of growth.
Advertisement
But will they?
Longtime WNBA Official: 'Our Players Just Don't Get It' first appeared on The Spun on Jul 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Texas A&M EDGE reportedly leaves minicamp following contract dispute with Bengals
The drama between former Texas A&M EDGE and the Cincinnati Bengals has escalated on Thursday morning, as the rookie has reportedly left mandatory minicamp. Since being drafted by the Bengals with the No. 17 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the relationship between former Aggie Shemar Stewart and the AFC North franchise has been anything but pleasant. The ongoing contract conflicts have prevented Stewart from participating, despite his attendance at team activities without a signed contract. Advertisement According to reports from NFL Draft and college football analyst Jordan Reid, if negotiations continue to trend downward, Stewart could opt not to play in 2025 and find a new team in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Stewart officially leaving minicamp, the rift between the Miami, Florida, native and the Bengals continues to grow larger. When speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, Stewart expressed his frustrations toward the franchise's constant pursuit of setting a new precedent with rookie contracts moving forward. "I'm 100 percent right. I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before," Stewart said. "But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games. I can't say what I really want to say, but it's their contract. They can do what they want with it." Some would interpret Stewart's comments as harsh for a rookie entering his first year dealing with a professional football franchise in this matter. However, he is a game-changer when he steps on the field and could rejuvenate a defensive unit that ranked 25th overall last season. Advertisement His ability to contribute heavily to a defense was proven during his time at Texas A&M, where Stewart made the All-SEC team twice and recorded 65 total tackles (30 solo tackles), 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. Beyond his statistics, the 6-foot-6, 290-pounder brings an athleticism that is unmatched by most defensive players in this year's draft class. Stewart completed the NFL Combine by running the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds, with a 40" vertical and a 10'11" broad jump. Most media members and fans of the Cincinnati Bengals believed that Stewart would make an immediate impact on the gridiron, given his athletic abilities, which were showcased against SEC competition during his three years with the Aggies. For now, it appears that the franchise will remain committed to setting a new precedent for rookies. This would allow front offices to avoid putting guaranteed money into rookie contracts, in case the relationship deteriorated and eventually fell apart due to injury, a clash of personalities, or other potential conflicts deemed detrimental to the franchise. Advertisement This is the main conflict between the Bengals' rookie and the organization, with Stewart fearing that he will lose out on money in his contract due to any potential injuries or mishaps in minicamp, should Cincinnati decide to move on or renegotiate the terms under this new umbrella. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: EDGE Shemar Stewart leaves minicamp due to ongoing contract dispute
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas A&M defensive lineman ranked in USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 players in 2025
As one of the anchors of the Texas A&M football program's defensive line, Cashius Howell was named as the No. 46 player on USA TODAY's College Wire Top 50 for the 2025 season. The junior from Kansas City, Missouri, recorded 40 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, eight pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble in 2024. Howell's string of incredible performances, standing by the side of future National League Football players like Shemar Turner, Nic Scourton, and Shemar Stewart, instantly made him one of the most important players to retain in the offseason for head coach Mike Elko's Aggie defense. Advertisement Here is what College Sports Wire's managing editor and lead writer, Tyler Nettuno analyzed about Howell's game in the official release on Thursday: "Howell has good size for an edge player, and it allowed him to thrive in the JACK role at Texas A&M last season. He finished second on the team in sacks while sharing the field with a pair of future NFL edge rushers, and he showed off his versatility in pass coverage with seven passes defended and his lone interception. He should become one of the SEC's premier pass-rushing threats in 2025." Before he arrived in Aggieland, Howell was an anchor for the Bowling Green defensive line from 2021 to 2023. He recorded 56 total tackles (27 solo tackles), 13.0 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks in 30 appearances for the Falcons. Howell also earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2023 for leading the league with 9.5 sacks, which was tied for 16th nationally. Following his stint with the Falcons, he transferred to Texas A&M and immediately made his presence felt on the gridiron in Bryan-College Station, Texas. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound wrecking ball wreaked havoc and caused nightmares for opposing offensive lines last season. Now, with a plethora of talented former Aggies departing, Howell will be called upon to help lead this defensive unit heading into its second year under Elko. Advertisement Not only will his contributions be integral to Texas A&M's success, but his as well. Among the breakdown of what he brings to the table this season, Nettuno also discussed his prospects and where Howell could end up hearing his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. "Howell enters the season drawing largely mid-round (late Day 2 or early Day 3) draft interest heading into the season, but he has the opportunity to boost his stock quite a bit as he enters the spotlight this fall. If Howell can show he's more than just a threat off the edge on passing downs, he has the chance to sneak into the second or even possibly first round." Time will tell if Howell can propel himself to becoming a first-round draft pick next year. For now, he will need to focus on honing his craft and preparing to lead the Aggies through the challenges of the SEC. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M DL Cashius Howell makes USA TODAY College Wire Top 50 list
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas A&M senior ranked as one of the top returning Edge rushers per Pro Football Focus
Texas A&M's defense will be led by several players in 2025, including senior edge Cashius Howell, who is considered one of the top pass rushers nationally after his impressive debut with the Aggies in 2024. After serving as a rotational defensive lineman/edge behind Shemar Stewart, who the Cincinnati Bengals drafted with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Howell has become one of the Aggies' most essential players on the roster, as A&M's pass rush dropped off significantly during the program's 1-4 finish to the 2024 campaign. Advertisement Standing at 6'4" and over 250 pounds, Howell recorded 26 tackles, four sacks, and seven pass deflections during his first season with the Aggies, while he dominated USC's offensive line during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl in late December. Possessing the size, speed, and pass rush arsenal to lead the Aggies in sacks and pressures next season, it's important to note that Howell has already proven his worth as a pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Howell enters the 2025 campaign as the fifth-highest rated edge (82.4), just a spot below Texas edge Collin Simmons, who is considered the best pass rusher in the country by many. With coach Mike Elko now calling defensive plays for the Aggies next season, Howell will line up off the edge, but will be deployed as the primary rusher in different packages, especially in third-down situations. Texas A&M's defensive line will feature four new edge rushers from the transfer portal. In contrast, freshman edge Marco Jones, who dominated during the Maroon & White spring game, could also make an immediate impact and is slated to see early playing time. Advertisement Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's Cashius Howell is PFF's 5th-ranked returning Edge rusher
