Former ESPN broadcaster Cindy Brunson has drawn criticism after defending Chicago Sky's DiJonai Carrington following an incident where Carrington clotheslined Sophie Cunningham, leading to Carrington's ejection. Cunningham subsequently posted "White privilege" from the locker room, intensifying the controversy.

Brunson argued that Cunningham, not Carrington, should have been ejected for the incident. She also shared posts suggesting that white WNBA players benefit from "reverse DEI."

On Threads, Brunson stated, "I’m team @dijonai all day every day and at most that should’ve been a flagrant 1 not an ejection."

In addition to defending Carrington, Brunson dismissed Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever's impressive 37-point game as stat padding, contrasting it with a 32-point performance in 26 minutes by a star player from Texas, which she deemed more impressive.

The controversy also touched on Angel Reese, who recently broke a longstanding WNBA rebounding record, a feat Brunson highlighted positively.

This situation has sparked debate about media coverage and perceived biases in the WNBA, with some accusing figures like Elle Duncan of blaming Clark and her fans for a media smear campaign while ignoring facts.

Brunson, who has nearly 30 years of experience covering the WNBA and serves as the WNBA Phoenix Mercury play-by-play voice for Athletes Unlimited, has faced backlash for her emotional and partisan remarks regarding Clark and Cunningham.

Sources