Jemele Hill, Cari Champion call out WNBA for not allowing journalists to fully cover league

'Don't like to be criticized': WNBA accused of 'quietly bullying' certain reporters

The WNBA has never been more popular, with viewership and attendance numbers setting records throughout the 2026 season. But two prominent voices in sports media think the league is getting in its own way with its media policies. On their podcast this week, Jemele Hill and Cari Champion argued that the WNBA’s media policies are…

“It’s All Drama”: Sports Journalist Questions League’s Priorities as Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham Fuel Debate

The WNBA’s massive growth in recent years has been paired with record-breaking viewership, multi-year media rights deals, and expansion to 18 teams. However, every time the league has gained mainstream attention, it is rarely for the happenings on the court. Despite all the success, the league is simultaneously facing deep-seated criticism regarding cultural and political […]

Jemele Hill, Cari Champion call out WNBA for not allowing journalists to fully cover league

The WNBA has surged in popularity since the arrival of young stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, hitting a 26-year regular-season viewership high, averaging 771,000 viewers per game. Those strong viewership numbers carried into the playoffs, even after Clark’s Indiana Fever were eliminated in the first round, with Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday…

‘This Is Not the W of 30 Years Ago’ -- Jemele Hill, Cari Champion Publicly Call Out WNBA Trying To ‘Bully’ Journalists

Jemele Hill and Cari Champion criticize the WNBA's treatment of journalists, alleging pressure over negative coverage and calling for change.