USA Today national sports columnist Christine Brennan continued to defend her journalistic integrity this week in the wake of scathing comments from USA Today. National Women's Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) has called for the veteran journalist's certification to be effectively revoked after an interview with Connecticut Sun Guard Dijonai Carrington.
Brennan, who addressed the incident on the podcast “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” asked Carrington during the WNBA Playoffs opener if he intended to punch Caitlin Clark in the eye in Game 1. He defended the way he questioned Carrington. Sun's playoff series vs. Indiana Fever.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark makes an appearance during Game 1 against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 22, 2024 in Uncasville, CT. Directly hit and react. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
She also asked Carrington if the players laughed about it late in the game, although she said she didn't realize she was doing it. punched Clark in the eye.
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“Do you know what you're doing as a journalist? You ask a question and you give them an opportunity to take it and run with it. And that's exactly my intention, that's exactly what I That's what he did,” Brennan said.
She explained that she asked the question because the exchange had made national news and was being talked about on social media. Brennan said he wanted to give Carrington some space to deal with the situation.
“Just give them a chance…give her a chance to answer the questions that are prevalent on the internet,” Brennan said. “It's outside, so ask the athletes so they can clear the air.”
DeJonai Carrington of the Connecticut Sun brings the ball up the court during the second quarter of a game against the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 19, 2024 in Uncasville, CT. (Mike Rowley/Getty Images)
Brennan defended his approach by calling it “Journalism 101,” adding that he's had to ask tough questions many times before, including with some famous male athletes.
“I'm not going to shy away from any question for any athlete and I'm willing to ask them,” Brennan said.
WNBPA, USA TODAY interview columnist issues scathing statement accusing racism 'incited'
The WNBPA issued a statement claiming the series of questioning had fueled “racist, homophobic and misogynistic abuse” online. They even called for Mr. Brennan's qualifications to be effectively revoked.
Brennan said he was “surprised” by the statement and said he did not take it “lightly”, but called calling for a suspension an “overreaction”.
“I thought this was a complete overreaction. I think a lot of people in the journalism world were thinking the exact same thing that we saw in our columns and reactions. I was encouraged by that. If people think that's okay, then I should be banned, and that's right – this is a free country and they can say that.”
USA Today columnist Christine Brennan asks a question during the USA team's press conference at the main press center during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. (Shana Lockwood/USA Today Sports)
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Brennan agreed that while the WNBA climate may be different, she has long been a champion of women's sports throughout her career.
“There are people here who care about this cause, the cause of women's sports, the abuse, the racism, the sexism, the misogyny due to lack of media coverage,” she said. “If you don’t like me, that’s fine, but if you look at the body of work here and see five or six columns about Caitlin Clark that people want to be angry about. I think it's very important to move on and be angry about it. It's a free country.
“But, well, you're certainly missing some of the things that I've worked so hard for and put my heart and soul into.”
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