The WNBA changed its media policy to allow teams to excuse players from media appearances under certain circumstances.
Previously, all players were required to speak to reporters after morning shooting practice a few hours before a game, but teams are now reportedly allowed to exclude two players from that time.
“It’s a big deal,” Chicago sportswriter Josh Friedman said. X The WNBA team, the Chicago Sky, announced it had exempted star rookie Angel Reese and Brazil’s Camila Cardoso from the new rules, effective immediately.
“Sky’s weekly media availability is accompanied by a note that reads: ‘Due to changes to the WNBA media season access policy, two players from each team may be exempt from all shootaround media availability. Angel Reese and Camila Cardozo are exempt.'”
Friedman later Clarified The player is still available before the match.
“Reese and Cardozo will be exempt from shooting practice interviews on game day, but will be available for on-court interviews prior to the game (usually 90 minutes prior to kickoff).”
“I know you guys want to twist my words… I can’t trust any of you.”
Rees was fined early on June 2024 She was in violation of media rules after being scheduled to speak to media outside the locker room, likely to avoid a question about the team’s offensive play against the league’s new superstar, Caitlin Clark, according to CBS.
Fellow Sky player Chennedy Carter was also repeatedly questioned about a flagrant foul he committed on Clark.
“It’s over now and I don’t know why we’re dragging this out,” Carter said at a June 3 press conference.
The foul was deemed heinous by fans, prompting Republican Rep. Jim Banks to send a letter to the WNBA commissioner asking what steps the league was taking to curb “excessive physical aggression” toward players.
Later that month, Rees told members of the media that he didn’t trust reporters.
“I’m just keeping it short and sweet because I know you guys are going to twist my words,” Reese said. Out kick“I’m going to keep this short and sweet because I don’t trust any of you,” she added.
Clarke said she has consistently been pressured by members of the media during shootaround to denounce racism and misogyny, and she simply doesn’t like it when someone uses her name to push a narrative.
Other players theorize that young, white women in the league are more “feminine” and therefore attract more positive attention.
of mirror A WNBA official confirmed that “pre-game and post-game media availability will remain the same,” but noted that pre-game interviews are typically conducted in groups rather than one-on-one.
The outlet also reported that there was inconsistent enforcement of pre-match media accessibility guidelines when players who were scheduled to answer media questions did not show up.
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