As the WNBA continues to position itself as a league built on inclusion, a former ESPN employee believes its actions towards reporters and the media show a different attitude. In the aftermath of Sophie Cunningham’s comments and the rallies that followed, comments of inclusion have ringed out through the league, in a way that the reporter finds hypocritical.
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Veteran journalist Dan Zaksheske publicly criticized the league after revealing that he was denied by the Minnesota Lynx to cover their game against the Indiana Fever.
“Stephanie White says she doesn’t believe ‘exclusion is ever an answer,'” he wrote on X. “Well, she should share that with the WNBA. Because they sure seem hell-bent on excluding reporters who ask real questions.”
His post refers to White’s comments from the Fever’s previous matchup. Before the team’s game against the Portland Fire on 31st July, White was asked about her thoughts on a “biological male” playing in the WNBA.
“I don’t know, when we talk about biological males scientifically where we are, I think it’s a totally different scenario,” White answered back then. “As I said, I’m not educated enough in transgender and transitioning to give you a smart answer. I would say, though, that I just don’t think that exclusion is an answer, and I think that we need to have deeper, more layered conversations.”
Additionally, opposing coach Alex Sarama had similar thoughts, highlighting that he wishes that games would be a safe environment for the fans who attend games, reiterating the belief that living in Portland is about “inclusivity” and “respect.”
“[The transgender community] have full support, and they’re a very important part of what the values of the Portland Fire are at the end of the day,” he told reporters. “And that’s why I said I want to make sure that all the fans who are coming here tonight… just making sure our fan base feel comfortable and supported when they come here to the Fire Pit.”
Sarama was also asked the same “biological males” question, and he made it clear that he didn’t feel “like I need to go deeper there.”
Their comments also came after the second rally in support of Cunningham’s comments, with about two dozen participants. Many opposed the rally and Cunningham’s comments, with fans booing her relentlessly and waving small transgender flags during the game.
Another rally is planned for the Fever’s next game against the Minnesota Lynx, and ahead of the game, head coach Cheryl Reeve has also expressed sentiments in line with those expressed by White and Sarama.
“Everyone has a right to peacefully assemble. Whether you agree with them or not, it doesn’t matter,” she said on August 1. “I think you can have an opinion in this space… In terms of my views, I come from a place of inclusion… We need to protect trans kids. To me, it’s a human rights issue.”
These comments are central to Zaksheske’s criticism. According to him, the league is promoting inclusion but excluding media whose reporting has focused on the Cunningham controversy.