At a time when the league is enjoying unprecedented popularity, the WNBA is under even greater scrutiny due to issues that threaten to derail its booming demand and badly needed approval from a hard-to-impress crowd.
A political commentator surveyed the landscape and concluded that everyone would benefit if women’s sports could offer a better product.
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Sophie Cunningham Controversies Draw Strong Response From Political Commentator
On Thursday, political pundit Gunther Eagleman shared a clip of Fox News’ Laura Ingraham criticizing the WNBA and some of the league’s top stars for their “stupidity.”
Eagleman used it to underline what he believes has been ailing the WNBA over the past few months.
“First it was the cheap shot elbow to Caitlin Clark’s neck. Then the league and its stars piled on Sophie Cunningham for daring to say biological men don’t belong in women’s sports. Now two of their biggest names, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, appear to have bet on a game they both played in. The league scrambled to delete the video,” Eagleman tweeted .
“When your product is built on drama, double standards, and constant controversy… this is what you get. Women’s sports deserve better than this circus.”
Alyssa Thomas’ hit against Clark last month resulted in a one-game suspension for the Phoenix Mercury forward, who later claimed that she endured online abuse and racist comments for what she described as an “unintentional” move.
Clark acknowledged that upgrading the no-call into a Flagrant 2 penalty and suspension was the right decision but emphasized that harassment and hate have no place in women’s basketball.
About two weeks ago, Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate, Cunningham, shared her belief that “biological women” have to be protected from competing against “biological men.” Cunningham’s statement polarized the WNBA world.
On Tuesday, anti-trans groups held a rally before the Fever-Seattle Storm game. Two young fans sitting courtside supporting Cunningham were reportedly cussed out by Storm minority owner Celeste Keaton.
SEE ALSO: ‘Isn’t the Behavior Worse?’ — Clay Travis Asks Why Storm Co-Owner Didn’t Get Donald Sterling Treatment for Cursing Out Sophie Cunningham Fans
Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder issued a public apology before the WNBA suspended Keaton for five home games .
Controversy from outside forces isn’t the only issue plaguing the WNBA, though. The league itself has played a role in the mess.
Before Wednesday’s Atlanta Dream-Dallas Wings showdown, the league’s social media team posted a video of Reese and Bueckers betting on the game. Under the new CBA, signed before the season started, wagering/betting whether “directly or indirectly” is strictly prohibited. The WNBA belatedly took down the video, which only added to the uproar.
After the contest, Reese added fuel to the fire by saying that she will be requesting her “Apple Pay” from the Wings point guard. The Dream forward kept at it, tweeting after the game about the win and using a hashtag for the $400 bet she made against Bueckers.
Cathy Engelbert, whose days as WNBA commissioner are reportedly numbered, refused to penalize two of the league’s biggest stars for their infractions.
The litany of controversies and seeming mismanagement of the WNBA prompted Eagleman to join others in urging the league and its players to provide a better experience for fans.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
