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Collage featuring BASKETBALL-WNBA-PHO-LV/ and Feb 3, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; ESPN host Jemele Hill poses for a photo on the red carpet at the ESPN the Party event in the. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Ric Bucher wants more diversity in WNBA broadcasts. He hopped on his podcast this week to question the current state of broadcasting in the W, arguing that coverage should push for gender diversity on its panels.
To Bucher, the current media product feels like a “girls’ club” that protects players from real scrutiny. The comments sparked split opinions across social media, with Jemele Hill catching wind of the complaint and weighing in.
Jemele Hill Drops Receipts in Brutal Criticism of Ric Bucher’s WNBA Diversity Take
In the latest segment of his “On The Ball” podcast, Bucher did not hold back in his critique of what he perceived as a double standard in sports media.
“Women have served in a variety of positions on national NBA broadcasts. Why shouldn’t there be diversity on national WNBA broadcasts?” Bucher asked . “… The only males you will find on national broadcasts now are young up-and-comers doing play-by-play.”
“Is the WNBA not worthy of being discussed and dissected by a variety of voices and perspectives in the same way the NBA is?” Bucher continued. “It all comes off as safe and monotone and cookie-cutter, especially when it comes to controversial topics. All of it feels like a girls’ club.”
Bucher’s comments prompted Hill to fire back at her former ESPN colleague with a pointed response on Monday, using statistics to back up her argument.
“83 percent of sports editors are white men, 75 percent of assistant sports editors are white men, 82 percent of columnists are white men, 67 percent of sports anchors are white men, 68 percent of sports analysts are white men, 65 percent of sports producers are white men,” Hill wrote.
“C’mon, Ric. This is deeply unserious.”
Interestingly, Bucher’s opinion surfaced on the same day that Jason Whitlock launched an attack on WNBA coverage .
Whitlock criticized the halftime crew during Sunday’s matchup between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream, accusing the broadcast of blindly praising Angel Reese despite her obvious shooting struggles.
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“Good lord, they have gone overboard trying to convince us Angel Reese is great. Stop it,” Whitlock posted on X, slamming analysts Monica McNutt and Malika Andrews for their halftime focus on Reese.
For a league already dealing with Sophie Cunningham-sparked inclusivity debates surrounding trans athletes, a hot take on gender inclusivity would perhaps do little to alleviate the pains of a brand that took nearly three decades to draw in a dedicated, growing fan base.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
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