Sports
Caitlin Clark, Christine Brennan and how racial stereotypes persist in the media’s WNBA coverage
Molly Yanity, University of Rhode Island
The “Caitlin Clark effect,” or the impact on women’s basketball from a ponytailed rookie phenomenon from America’s heartland, is real: The 2024 WNBA season shattered viewership, attendance and merchandise sales records.
Clark, however, didn’t get a chance to compete for a league title.
The Connecticut Sun eliminated Clark’s team, the Indiana Fever, in the first round of the playoffs with a two-game sweep, ending her record rookie-of-the-year campaign.
And it may be just the latest chapter in a complicated saga steeped in race.
During the first game of the series, the fingers of Sun guard DiJonai Carrington hit Clark in the eye as Carrington followed through on a block attempt of a Clark shot.
During the next day’s media availability, USA Today columnist Christine Brennan recorded and posted an exchange between herself and Carrington.
In the brief clip, the veteran sports writer asks Carrington, who is Black, if she purposely hit Clark in the eye during the previous night’s game. Though Carrington insisted she didn’t intentionally hit Clark, Brennan persisted, asking the guard if she and a teammate had laughed about the incident. The questions sparked social media outrage, statements from the players union and the league, media personalities weighing in and more.
Hit the pause button here.
As a longtime sports writer who has covered the WNBA – and as a journalism scholar who studies women’s sports and fandom – I’ll concede that Brennan’s line of questioning seems, on its face, like business as usual in sports journalism.
After all, haven’t most baseball fans seen a scribe ask a pitcher if he intentionally beaned a batter?
But Brennan’s questions were not asked in a vacuum. The emergence of a young, white superstar from the heartland has caused many new WNBA fans to pick sides that fall along racial lines. Brennan’s critics claim she was pushing a line of questioning that has dogged Black athletes for decades: that they are aggressive and undisciplined.
Because of that, her defense of her questions – and her unwillingness to acknowledge the complexities – has left this professor disappointed in one of her journalistic heroes.
Brennan and much of the mainstream sports media, particularly those who cover professional women’s basketball, still seem to have a racial blind spot.
The emergence of a Black, queer league
When the WNBA launched in 1997 in the wake of the success of the 1996 Olympic gold-medal-winning U.S. women’s basketball team, it did so under the watch of the NBA.
The NBA set out to market its new product, in part, to a white, heterosexual fan base.
The plan didn’t take hold.
While the league experienced fits and starts in attendance and TV ratings over its lifetime, the demographic makeup of its players is undeniable: The WNBA is, by and large, a Black, queer league.
In 2020, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association reported that 83% of its members were people of color, with 67% self-reporting as “Black/African-American.” While gender and sexual identity hasn’t been officially reported, a “substantial proportion,” the WNBPA reported, identify as LBGTQ+.
In 2020, the league’s diversity was celebrated as players competed in a “bubble” in Bradenton, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They protested racial injustice, helped unseat a U.S. senator who also owned Atlanta’s WNBA franchise, and urged voters to oust former President Donald Trump from the White House.
Racial tensions bubble to the surface
In the middle of it all, the WNBA has more eyeballs on it than ever before. And, without mincing words, the fan base has “gotten whiter” since Clark’s debut this past summer, as The Wall Street Journal pointed out in July. Those white viewers of college women’s basketball have emphatically turned their attention to the pro game, in large part due to Clark’s popularity at the University of Iowa.
Money is also pouring into the league through a lucrative media rights deal and new sponsorship partners.
While the rising tide following Clark’s transition to the WNBA is certainly lifting all boats, it is also bringing detritus to the surface in the form of racist jeers from the stands and on social media.
After the Sun dispatched the Fever, All-WNBA forward Alyssa Thomas, who seldom speaks beyond soundbites, said in a postgame news conference: “I think in my 11-year career I’ve never experienced the racial comments from the Indiana Fever fan base. … I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it.”
Echoes of Bird and Magic
In “Manufacturing Consent,” a seminal work about the U.S. news business, Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky argued that media in capitalist environments do not exist to impartially report the news, but to reinforce dominant narratives of the time, even if they are false. Most journalists, they theorized, work to support the status quo.
In sports, you sometimes see that come to light through what media scholars call “the stereotypical narrative” – a style of reporting and writing that relies on old tropes.
Scholars who study sports media have found that reporters routinely fall back on racial stereotypes. For example, coverage of Black quarterbacks in the NFL as less intelligent and more innately gifted would go on to hinder the progress of Black quarterbacks.
In Brennan’s coverage of the Carrington-Clark incident, there appear to be echoes of the way the media covered Los Angeles Lakers point guard Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird in the 1980s.
The battles between two of the sport’s greatest players – one Black, the other white – was a windfall for the NBA, lifting the league into financial sustainability.
But to many reporters who leaned on the dominant narrative of the time, the two stars also served as stand-ins for the racial tensions of the post-civil rights era. During the 1980s, Bird and Magic didn’t simply hoop; they were the “embodiments of their races and living symbols of how blacks and whites lived in America,” as scholars Patrick Ferrucci and Earnest Perry wrote.
The media gatekeepers of the Magic-Bird era often relied on racial stereotypes that ultimately distorted both athletes.
For example, early in their careers, Bird and Johnson received different journalistic treatment. In Ferrucci and Perry’s article, they explain how coverage of Bird “fit the dominant narrative of the time perfectly … exhibiting a hardworking and intelligent game that succeeded despite a lack of athletic prowess.” When the “flashy” Lakers and Johnson won, they wrote, it was because of “superior skill.”
When they lost to Bird’s Celtics, they were “outworked.”
Framing matters
Let’s go back to Brennan.
Few have done more for young women in the sports media industry than Brennan. In time, energy and money, she has mentored and supported young women trying to break into the field. She has used her platform to expand the coverage of women’s sports.
Brennan defended herself in a lengthy interview on the podcast “Good Game with Sarah Spain”:
“I think [critics are] missing the fact of what I’m trying to do, what I am doing, what I understand clearly as a journalist, asking questions and putting things out there so that athletes can then have an opportunity to answer issues that are being discussed or out there.”
I don’t think Brennan asking Carrington about the foul was problematic. Persisting with the narrative was.
Leaning into racial stereotypes is not simply about the language used anymore. Brennan’s video of her persistent line of questioning pitted Carrington against Clark. It could be argued that it used the stereotype of the overly physical, aggressive Black athlete, as well.
At best, Brennan has a blind spot to the strain racism is putting on Black athletes today – particularly in the WNBA. At worst, she is digging in on that tired trope.
A blind spot can be addressed and seen. An unacknowledged racist narrative, however, will persist.
Molly Yanity, Professor and Director of Sports media and Communication, University of Rhode Island
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The Sports section of STM Daily News is your ultimate destination for all things sports, catering to everyday fans and dedicated enthusiasts alike. We cover a wide range of topics, from the thrill of amateur competitions to the excitement of semi-professional and professional leagues. Our content delves into physical and mental fitness, providing insights and tips that help individuals elevate their performance, whether on the field or in their personal wellness journeys. Stay informed and inspired as we explore the dynamic world of sports, celebrating both the passion of the players and the joy of the fans.
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Rob Nunnery
In the latest episode of the People of Pickleball Podcast, host Mike Sleeves Sliwa welcomes APP and Selkirk-sponsored player Rob Nunnery for an engaging and insightful conversation. If you’re a fan of pickleball, this episode is a must-listen!
From Court to Conversation
The episode kicks off with Rob sharing his journey from being a Division 1 college tennis player to discovering the dynamic world of pickleball in 2019. Mike dives into Rob’s athletic background, exploring how tennis has influenced his style and approach to pickleball. Rob’s enthusiasm is contagious as he reflects on the sport’s rapid growth and highlights the pivotal moments leading up to its explosion in popularity, especially during the pandemic.
The Dual Nature of Pickleball
One of the episode’s standout discussions revolves around the relationship between amateur and professional pickleball. Rob emphasizes the importance of the amateur scene as the backbone of the pro game, suggesting that greater spectator interest in pro events hinges upon strong community participation. Both hosts delve into how amateur players often don’t realize the excitement of pro pickleball and how crucial it is for the sport to build a narrative that resonates with casual players.
Exploring Innovations in the Sport
Listeners are treated to thoughts on how pickleball can translate its high-octane atmosphere into captivating viewing experiences. Rob proposes intriguing ideas about how to enhance the viewer engagement through scoring and match dynamics—an exciting glimpse into the evolving discourse around the sport. The conversation of narratives also flares up as they consider how the personalities behind the paddles can be leveraged to create compelling stories that draw in spectators and investors alike.
A Peek into the Future
As the episode winds down, Rob shares his ambitious vision for the growth of pickleball at both an amateur and international level. With discussions about infrastructure in Europe and Asia, and the accessibility of the sport being a major theme, Rob’s insights offer hope for the future of pickleball. He lays out how dedicated facilities and grassroots initiatives can boost participation globally, painting a picture of a thriving pickleball community that’s inclusive and vibrant.
A Must-Listen for Pickleball Enthusiasts!
This episode is bound to leave you with a fresh perspective on the sport and its dynamic players. Mike and Rob’s chemistry is evident, creating an enjoyable listening experience filled with laughter and enlightening discussions. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a casual fan, or just curious about the world of pickleball, there’s something for everyone in this episode.
Join Mike Sleeves Sliwa and Rob Nunnery as they unpack the nuances of pickleball, make sure to tune into the latest episode of the People of Pickleball Podcast! Follow along for more exciting discussions, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on all things pickleball. Let’s Pickle!
Rob Nunnery
IG: @robnunnery
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https://www.utrsports.net/pages/play-pickleball
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Travel
Exciting News: Pickleball International Launches 2025 Pickleball Cruise Season!
Pickleball International is launching a luxurious cruise experience in June 2025, featuring indoor courts, stunning scenery, and exciting destinations like Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. It’s a Pickleball Cruise.
Hey, Pickleballers! It’s Mike Sliwa here, and I have some thrilling news to share with all of you. If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your love for pickleball with a luxurious cruise experience, then mark your calendars for June 2025! Pickleball International is set to launch its highly anticipated 2025 Pickleball Cruise season and trust me, you won’t want to miss out.
What to Expect
This year, the cruise season kicks off with a spectacular three-day luxury getaway to Ensenada, Mexico, from June 17-20, followed by a five-night escape to the stunning Cabo San Lucas from June 20-25. Imagine soaking in the beautiful landscapes of Baja while enjoying top-notch amenities onboard with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and, of course, pickleball!
Indoor Pickleball Courts
One of the standout features of this cruise is the availability of indoor pickleball courts. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the sport, there will be plenty of opportunities to play and improve your game. Picture this: you’re playing pickleball with ocean views, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts, all while enjoying the luxurious comforts of a cruise liner. It’s an experience that promises to be both exhilarating and unique.
Explore the Beauty of Baja
Aside from the fantastic pickleball experience, the breathtaking landscapes of Baja California will leave you in awe. Ensenada is famous for its stunning coastal views, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine. Cabo San Lucas, known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere, will offer plenty of opportunities for exploration and fun.
Book Your Spot!
Spaces for this incredible adventure are sure to fill up quickly, so don’t wait too long to secure your spot. For more details about the itinerary, pricing, and how to book, be sure to check out the official Pickleball International website: Pickleball International.
This is a fantastic opportunity to merge your passion for pickleball with a dream vacation. So gather your friends, pack your paddles, and get ready for an unforgettable cruise experience in 2025!
Let’s Pickle – Cruise!
For more information, follow the link to Pickleball International: https://www.pickleballintl.org
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
We’ll inform you about the thrilling Pickleball Cruise adventure through our podcasts and social media channels.
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Sports
2024 National Pickleball League Season Insights with Michael Chen
“Explore the 2024 National Pickleball League season with Michael Chen, co-founder, on the Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report.”
In the latest episode of the Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report, host Mike Sleeves Sliwa delves into the heart of the sport with an exclusive interview featuring Michael Chen, co-founder of the National Pickleball League. Titled “People of Pickleball,” this episode offers an insightful look into the upcoming 2024 season and the exciting developments within the sport. As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the league’s vision, upcoming tournaments, and the impact on the pickleball community at large.
The engaging dialogue between Sliwa and Chen captures the essence of the sport, offering valuable insights for both seasoned players and newcomers. From discussing competitive strategies to the influence of pickleball on local communities, the episode provides a comprehensive view of the sport’s evolution. Whether you’re an avid player or simply pickleball-curious, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the game.
National Pickleball League
Tune in every week for engaging conversations, expert interviews, and the latest news in the pickleball world. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review to help us grow the community!
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Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report
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