The WNBA’s viewership skyrocketed when Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark entered the league. To date, she is still one of the first names that come to mind when discussing women’s basketball.
With constant controversy surrounding the league this season, the WNBA world has become engulfed in flames. This stands true across sports broadcasting networks.
Linda Cohn Called Out by Ex-ESPN Colleague Over Sudden WNBA, Caitlin Clark Coverage
Linda Cohn worked as one of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” anchors for 34 years before announcing her retirement in June 2026.
Throughout her career, Cohn covered a variety of sports, but the WNBA was not her focal point. However, following her retirement, she’s been very active discussing women’s basketball on social media, triggering pushback from her former colleague Cindy Brunson.
In response to a circulating video regarding Clark, Cohn posted, “Makes perfect sense to those who make ridiculous observations.”
For reference, the clip is from “No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show,” featuring hosts Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, and Annie Costabile. The controversial episode stirred frustration because Minnesota Lynx phenom Olivia Miles was mistakenly credited with the WNBA’s rookie assist record over Clark.
With Cohn continuing to discuss the WNBA on social media, Brunson stepped forward and posted, “Curious @lindacohn where was all of the energy to cover the @wnba while you were at ESPN?!? We worked alongside there for 13 yrs & I don’t recall you using your clout to amplify the league or push for highlights on SportsCenter while the company willfully buried the W product.”
Curious @lindacohn where was all of the energy to cover the @wnba while you were at ESPN?!? We worked alongside there for 13 yrs & I don’t recall you using your clout to amplify the league or push for highlights on SportsCenter while the company willfully buried the W product. https://t.co/GuejxOwXhg
— Cindy Brunson (@CindyBrunsonAZ) August 30, 2026
As expected, Brunson’s retweet quickly gained traction, prompting Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspiegel to rally to Cohn’s defense.
“It’s completely unfair to say ESPN ‘willfully buried’ the WNBA. Was it a major topic of conversation on talk shows before CC entered the league? No. But no network came close to giving women’s hoops – W + college – the live windows, production, etc as ESPN for DECADES,” Glasspiegel responded on X.
It’s completely unfair to say ESPN “willfully buried” the WNBA.
Was it a major topic of conversation on talk shows before CC entered the league? No.
But no network came close to giving women’s hoops – W + college – the live windows, production, etc as ESPN for DECADES. https://t.co/DsL40ia2GD
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) August 30, 2026
Cohn regularly touches on subjects relating to the 24-year-old Clark. Of course, the young guard has been a polarizing player within the league, but this isn’t anything new. She’s now in her third season, but continues to face crippling heat.
Clark is averaging 22.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, shooting 45.6% from the floor.
She is the WNBA’s third-leading scorer, trailing only Kelsey Mitchell (25.0 ppg) and A’ja Wilson (26.0 ppg). Clark also ranks second on this year’s assists leaderboard (8.4 apg) and is tied for fourth in 3-pointers made (106).
It’s no secret that Clark has driven overwhelming attention to the league in recent years, but with attention comes criticism. Whether WNBA fans support or reject Clark, controversy will remain.
