The WNBA’s apparent overprotection of its stars has sparked debate in sports circles since the arrival of new-generation stars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese.
As much as possible, the league tries to shield its players from having to address sensitive questions that could affect its image.
However, female sports analyst and author Christine Brennan blew the whistle, urging the league to be open about these topics and noting that the league has gone mainstream thanks to these stars, who are knowledgeable enough to address them.
Christine Brennan Urges the WNBA to Allow Players to Answer Sensitive Questions
Brennan shared her take on the topic during her appearance on “Outspoken with Dan Sileo.” The award-winning sports columnist noted that the league, unlike other major men’s sports leagues, is not ready for prime time, despite its mainstream rise fueled by the marketing clout of stars such as Clark and Bueckers.
Brennan recalled an incident from April when a Dallas PR representative stepped in to shut down a question from a Dallas Morning News columnist about the true relationship status between Bueckers and Azzi Fudd during the latter’s introductory press conference.
Brennan defended Kevin Sherrington for asking the question and called it a legitimate inquiry, noting that the pair has been trending as a romantic couple across online media outlets since Bueckers confirmed the development at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
“Question was, have you talked to other teams and other players who’ve been on the same team, and how you deal with that?” Brennan said. “Totally legit, and Azzi Fudd is a super smart person, as is Paige Bueckers, and they can answer it.”
She noted that the league’s leadership has been unable to handle these situations and often faces ridicule from the mainstream media for appearing to shield its players, particularly its superstars.
“This is a league that’s not ready for prime time,” Brennan said. “It’s often amateur hour and it pains me to say this because you know as much as I’ve covered men’s sports over women’s sports over the years, football and Tiger Woods et cetera.”
“I’ve covered a ton of women’s sports and cared very much about it. And so to see their inability to handle these moments… In other words, is it being coddled? And it’s time to stop coddling it? Caitlin Clark’s the real deal, and they need to do a better job of understanding the magnitude of it and the media that comes.”
Amid the constant debate over their treatment by the league, Clark and Bueckers continue to piece together spectacular campaigns for their teams this season.
Thanks to her passing vision and deep range, Clark has helped the Indiana Fever to an 8-5 start and is averaging 20.3 points and 7.8 assists across 12 games so far.
Meanwhile, Bueckers’ Wings dropped to an identical 8-5 mark following their defeat to the Portland Fire on Saturday.
