Latest news with #WNBAPA
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longtime WNBA Official: 'Our Players Just Don't Get It'
Longtime WNBA Official: 'Our Players Just Don't Get It' originally appeared on The Spun. 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.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WNBA exposed for excluding players from media rights deal
The post WNBA exposed for excluding players from media rights deal appeared first on ClutchPoints. The WNBA just announced a multi-year extension to its 11-year, $2.2 billion agreement with Scripps Sports from July 2024, keeping regular-season games airing on ION for the next decade and beyond. The deal marks a major move for the league's expanding future, especially financially, and the WNBA Players' Association (WNBAPA) argues that it should've been a standout moment for the players as well. Advertisement In May, WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told The Athletic that the union asked to be included in media rights negotiations, and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert 'seemed inclined' to honor the request. 'The commissioner expressed support for their involvement in those talks. The union noted that it didn't happen this time,' a WNBAPA member told Front Office Sports. The rep elaborated that the union understands that involving players in media deal discussions is 'unprecedented' but that it's 'hopeful' Engelbert will follow through with including them in future negotiations. Terms of the extension weren't disclosed, but the W's initial 3-year deal was reportedly worth $13 million annually. Since then, additional partners like ION and CBS could move the needle on the total dollar amount from $2.2 billion to $3 billion. Advertisement After revealing the W's move, Engelbert released a statement detailing what the decision means for the state of the league. 'This new multi-year agreement reflects the growing excitement surrounding the league and the rising demand for WNBA games,' WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement. 'Through Scripps' ION Network Friday Night doubleheaders, we will continue to showcase the world-class talent of WNBA athletes to even more fans nationwide.' As of May 2025, ION has seen year-over-year average WNBA viewership increase by 39% to an average of 550,000 per game. The league's deal is tied to the NBA's $77 billion contract with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon Prime Video, which will join CBS and ION as broadcast partners when it takes effect in 2026. Related: NCAA women's athletes appeal blockbuster $2.8 billion NIL decision over legal violations Related: Charles Barkley reveals advice 'brilliant businessman' Michael Jordan gave him
