Jemele Hill and Cari Champion criticized the WNBA’s treatment of journalists, arguing that its approach to media coverage needs to change as the league grows.
During a recent podcast discussion, Champion alleged that league personnel pressured journalists over critical coverage, while Hill questioned policies she believes restrict reporting.
Jemele Hill and Cari Champion Criticize WNBA’s Treatment of Journalists
On Tuesday’s episode of “Flagrant and Funny,” Champion and Hill discussed tensions between the league and journalists who cover it. Their concerns centered on media access and on how the WNBA and its teams respond to critical reporting.
The former “SportsCenter” anchor called on the WNBA’s communications staff to change how they deal with journalists, arguing that the league can no longer operate as it did decades ago.
“This is not the W of 30 years ago. This is the W of today,” Champion said. “Technology is different, personalities are different, people are moving different, and you’re gonna have to adjust. … And I hope that this new commissioner brings that mentality in as well.”
Champion recalled an incident in which someone from the WNBA contacted her boss because they disapproved of how she presented a particular story angle. She cited the experience while discussing what she believes is a longstanding approach to dealing with critical coverage.
“I think they’ve used that approach for a very long time, where they’ve tried to quietly bully certain journalists and/or people who cover them,” Champion said.
The “Naked Sports” host also said that some journalists hesitate to publish critical stories because of the way teams respond to negative coverage. She argued that the problem extends beyond individual disagreements between reporters and team personnel.
“A lot of it has to do with the fact that we have heard from critics that women can’t take the critique; they don’t like to be criticized,” Champion said. “A lot of journalists are tiptoeing around honest stories because the franchise, the front offices, don’t like to be criticized, don’t like to be talked about in this way, don’t want to hear what people are saying, the good and the bad.”
Meanwhile, Hill questioned the WNBA’s media policies, describing some as “stifling to the growth of the league.” Her criticism concerned media-access policies she believes make it harder for journalists to cover a league that has attracted greater attention in recent seasons.
Champion’s reference to a new commissioner comes as Cathy Engelbert prepares to leave the position she has held since 2019. She announced in September that she plans to retire at the end of 2026.
Her successor has yet to be announced. Champion hopes the next commissioner will take a different approach to media relations, particularly when journalists report stories that teams or league officials would rather not see published.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.