It isn’t a nationally televised basketball game without ESPN getting criticized for some mistake or the other. More often than not, the network is called out by netizens – whether it’s Doris Burke’s commentary or the sportscasters getting less time to speak before they are replaced by the constant commercials. Therefore, instead of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, fans were just bracing for ESPN to do something conversation-worthy. Sure enough, that’s what they did.

By securing a win in Game 4 through a 97-86 score, the Las Vegas Aces won their 3rd WNBA championship in 4 years! During the award presentation ceremony, ESPN was able to get an exclusive with the WNBA commissioner, Cathy Engelbert. As she spoke, the screen kept going to grey between intervals. A social media user highlighted the reason behind the same by writing that “ESPN tried their best to blur the screen because a fan was flipping off Cathy Engelbert”. Sure enough, a fan was seen giving the middle finger by using both his hands as the WNBA commissioner spoke.

It is no secret that Cathy Engelbert is not the most popular figure in the WNBA world at the moment. She wasn’t universally liked even earlier, but the criticism against her increased following Napheesa Collier’s exit interview. After all, during the same, the Minnesota Lynx star openly said, “We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world.”

She claimed that the commissioner did not take the players’ criticism against officiating problems seriously, allegedly stating that “Well, only the losers complain about the refs.” If that wasn’t enough, Engelbert then allegedly said, “Players should be on their knees, thanking their lucky stars for the media rights deal that I got them,” when Collier attempted to make a case for increased pay.

And after the netizen highlighted the network’s actions, it didn’t take long for the others to share their viewpoints as well.

WNBA Fans Criticize ESPN For Blurring The Criticism Against Cathy Engelbert

One social media user wrote, “That just made it obvious lol. I thought my TV was buggin”.

Flipping the middle finger isn’t exactly rare in sports. Even Hollywood star Aubrey Plaza did it while attending a WNBA game in 2023. Normally, a moment like that — say, a fan behind Cathy Engelbert doing the same — might have been noticed briefly, used to poke fun at the commissioner’s perceived unpopularity, and forgotten by the next day. But by blurring the clip so conspicuously, the network ensured it became a talking point for days.

One individual wrote, “I feel like technology has caught up to the point where they could have blurred out the fingers without that entire grey screen lol😭😭😭😭 espn is under Disney….USE YALL RESOURCES! LOL”.

The blur marks the 2nd notable mistake ESPN made in its coverage of Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. After all, when the game was still in its 3rd quarter, with around 5:28 seconds remaining, ESPN ran a Nike ad that celebrated A’ja Wilson and co’s championship win! Several netizens defended this by highlighting that when the ad aired, the Las Vegas Aces were up 64-49, aka by a 15-point margin. Then again, the Phoenix Mercury did recover from a 17-point deficit in Game 3, even if they lost that matchup.

One social media user wrote, “What a mess lol”.

The WNBA Finals aren’t the first time that the manner in which ESPN covers the Finals has been criticized. During Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the five individuals on ESPN’s set got only ‘one minute and twenty seconds’ of airtime. After the 2nd quarter ended in Game 1, the broadcast went to a commercial.

When it came back, Mike Breen and JJ Redick did the ‘Gettin’ Buckets’ segment, which lasted for reportedly about 20 seconds. Cut to another commercial break, and then the on-site studio team got about a minute to share their thoughts. Another commercial break, and then Josh Hart discussed the remaining Dallas-Celtics games in a segment that lasted roughly 20 seconds! The 3rd quarter had begun by the time Redick and Burke returned to give a brief commentary on the first half.

One individual wrote, “Can’t cut the audio tho😂😂😂Phoenix fans showered her — a– with boos🫡talk about understanding the assignment!” Sure enough, fans began to boo in unison once Cathy Engelbert began speaking. In fact, they were so loud that ‘The New York Post’ reported “Whatever Engelbert was saying wasn’t audible amid the jeers.”

One social media user wrote, “Lls na that’s crazy”. As ‘The New York Post’ reported, “Though it’s common for league commissioners to be the target of fans’ ire, Friday’s scene could be a defining moment in league history.” Given the ongoing controversy, anything related to Cathy Engelbert becomes conversation-worthy.

Overall, the majority of reactions saw fans united in criticizing ESPN.