The discourse surrounding Caitlin Clark tends to be as polarizing as it gets, and the way she’s covered or discussed by the media isn’t helping.
During the Indiana Fever’s 95-91 overtime win over the Atlanta Dream, ESPN’s halftime show raved about Angel Reese and barely addressed Clark. This prompted strong reactions from the WNBA world, with some even calling for ESPN to make major changes to their studio show.
WNBA World Rips ESPN’s Halftime Show for Ignoring Caitlin Clark to Hype Up Angel Reese
Former ESPN NBA insider Ric Bucher didn’t mince words about the network’s studio show, which featured Malika Andrews, Monica McNutt, Chiney Ogwumike, and Andraya Carter, calling out the “cookie-cutter” analysis and lack of diversity.
“Why are all the color analysts and studio hosts women? Women have served in a variety of positions on national NBA broadcasts. Why shouldn’t there be diversity on national WNBA broadcasts? What are the networks afraid of?” Bucher said in a video he posted on X.
“Is the WNBA not worthy of being discussed and dissected by a variety of voices and perspectives in the same way the NBA is? … I don’t hear a whole lot of differing opinion or debate. It all comes off as safe and monotone and cookie-cutter, especially when it comes to controversial topics. All of it feels like a girl’s club, the media protecting the league from real scrutiny or critique.”
Why is WNBA coverage so safe and monotone? Where’s the diversity in analysis and debate? The league deserves critical discussion from varied voices, not just a ‘girls club’ protecting it from scrutiny. What are networks afraid of? #WNBA #MediaCritique pic.twitter.com/BQKug4eOPs
— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) August 16, 2026
Roughly two weeks ago, McNutt called out Clark, saying that the Fever star has “room for little bit more accountability and self-awareness in terms of her role in the larger sisterhood” of the WNBA. This comment ruffled feathers, so Clark fans were once again frustrated to see McNutt and Co. refusing to give the Fever star credit while hyping up Reese after a subpar first-half performance in which she shot 3-of-10 from the field.
Meanwhile, Clark was barely discussed even though she had 10 points and 5 assists at halftime and ultimately finished with 26 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds in Indiana’s 95-91 win. (Reese ended the game with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists, but missed a potential game-winning layup at the end of regulation).
Fans had something to say about the purported favoritism that they observed from ESPN’s halftime show.
“So Allisha Gray lit up the first half but the @espnW half time crew spent the entire show glazing Angel Reese (who kept on missing open layups). Why? Because Angel has a rivalry with CC and this is their way of putting down CC. These guys need to get fired!” an X user wrote.
“They need to make a change somewhere. No balance on that panel at all. Know your audience and the reason why said audience is watching,” another X user added.
They need to make a change somewhere. No balance on that panel at all. Know your audience and the reason why said audience is watching. https://t.co/7WqJhytHCd
— Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1) August 16, 2026
“Hahaha 3-10 in the first half. This is ridiculous ESPN. Talk about a lack of credibility,” one expressed.
“Monica, Chiney and Andraya were embarrassing yesterday Ngl, the league deserves better,” another fan added.
“Nobody cares about Angel Reese…in fact most of America realizes she’s not a good player and if she wasn’t outspoken, nobody would pay attention to her. Four letter network buys in hook, line and sinker on HER, but not CC. Amazing,” one fan posted.
One fan described ESPN as “worse propaganda than the political news media with how they glaze Angel Reese.”
“I watched the entire game and the commentary. It is propaganda the entire time. Doesn’t matter what is happening in the game, these four stick to their scripted agenda and just ignore what is unfolding by on the court,” another fan wrote.
ESPN recently laid off a number of on-air personalities, including Cam Newton, Ryan Clark, Damien Woody, Bart Scott, Karl Ravech, and Tom Pelissero, among others. The network has said that this round of layoffs is complete, but it remains to be seen if the network will shake up its WNBA studio show in the future.
