Last week, Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington was asked about an incident during her team’s first-round playoff series against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, where Carrington accidentally hit Clark in the face, giving her a black eye. USA Today columnist Christine Brennan questioned Carrington, asking if the act was intentional and whether she laughed about it later, which Carrington denied.
The tension between Brennan’s questions and the players’ responses highlighted larger issues within the WNBA. Carrington and her teammates, especially nner,DeWanna Bo took issue with Brennan’s approach, feeling it was dehumanizing and insensitive given the backdrop of racial harassment some players had experienced online and from fans.
Three days later, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association called for Brennan’s media credentials to be revoked, accusing her of attempting to fuel harmful narratives. Brennan defended her questions as standard journalism, and while some journalists agreed, others criticized her heavy focus on Caitlin Clark at the expense of the league’s diversity.
The incident added to ongoing scrutiny of the WNBA’s media relations, especially as Clark’s growing fame reshapes coverage. Brennan, a veteran journalist, acknowledged the backlash but stood by her approach, planning to continue covering the playoffs.
