In a surprising turn of events, LSU coach Kim Mulkey on Saturday slammed another outlet and article besides the Washington Post for a long-awaited article that she previously called a “hit piece.”
Mulkey hits back at the Los Angeles Times over Ben Bolch’s “sexist” comments after defending national champion LSU beat UCLA to advance to the Elite Eight in the women’s basketball NCAA tournament. did.
Column depicting the Sweet 16 matchup as “good versus evil”. What is right and what is wrong. Inclusive or divisive? ”
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The passage that really struck Mulkey was this: Milk and cookies or Louisiana hot sauce. ”
“The only thing I won’t let you guys do is attack young people. And there were some things in this comment that I should be upset about as a woman. It was so sexist, but they don’t know that,” Mulkey said.
“Today’s match was Good vs. Evil. Evil? Did you call us Dirty Debutantes? Now pull out your phone and Google Dirty Debutantes And please tell me what it says. Dirty debutante? are you kidding me I’m not going to have kids talking about 18-21 year olds in that tone.
“It was even sexist when this reporter said UCLA was milk and cookies.”
Mulkey has been combative with reporters since last week, threatening to pre-emptively sue the Washington Post, putting him in the shadow of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark. article She reportedly refused an interview.
The article was published on Saturday, hours before the tipoff.
Mulkey said before and after the game that she hadn’t read it yet, but she did see the Los Angeles Times article someone sent her.
“Now ladies, sit there and shut your mouth if you want,” Mulkey said after the game. “I’m in the last third of my career and I’m not going to let sexism go unchecked. And if you don’t think it’s sexism, you’re denying sexism.” Masu.
“Why can people attack kids like that? You don’t have to like the way we play. You don’t have to like our trash talk. You don’t have to like any of it. . We’re fine with that. But as a mother, as a grandmother, and as a youth leader, I can’t sit here and allow someone to say something like that.”
Borch was in Albany to cover the game.
It is unclear whether he responded to Mulkey.
“Guys, that’s a mistake,” the head coach told the crowd in the postgame interview room. “I don’t even know what a dirty debutante is, but I Googled it and found out, [gasped].
“Growing the game is [the story]. How many of you have ever been to Baton Rouge, Louisiana? Raise your hand? And have you ever watched a game of ours? How many of you have ever watched an SEC game on the road? How many of you are there? Want to talk about the growth of the game? Everyone, come meet our crowd. I don’t know about that. sorry. I’m from a different generation. Understood. But I know sexism when I see it or read it. That was terrible. ”
The Washington Post article turned out to be a deep dive into Mulkey’s relationship with his family and former players like WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, who was held in Russia for nearly 300 days. .
According to the article, Mulkey is “known for holding grudges and being confrontational with players, including over their appearance and expression of sexuality.”
Mulkey, through his attorney, denied that he treated gay players “more harshly or differently,” and again, through his attorney, refuted the idea that he did not support Greiner.
LSU did not immediately respond to the Washington Post’s request for comment on the article.
Mulkey thought it was interesting that the timing of the article’s publication coincided with the LSU tipoff.
“Imagine,” she said. “I’m sure you all saw that and thought it would click or be a distraction. No, ma’am, I haven’t read it and probably won’t. Maybe I should contact my lawyer. I’ll take it and see if there’s anything I should be concerned about.”
LSU will play Iowa vs. Clark on Monday in the Elite Eight in a rematch of the 2023 national championship game.
