Caitlin Clark eye poke question draws fire from WNBA players union

(NewsNation) — USA Today columnist Christine Brennan is the target of the WNBA Players Association over a question Brennan posed over the eye poke that rookie star Caitlin Clark suffered in a playoff game.

“USA Today Sports should explain why a reporter with clear bias and ulterior motives was assigned to cover the league,” said WNBA Players Association Executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson in a statement, which also called on USA Today to discipline Brennan.

DiJonai Carrington gave Caitlin Clark a black eye

At issue are the questions Brennan posed to Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington the day after Carrington gave Clark a black eye during the first playoff game between the Sun and Clark’s Indiana Fever.

“Did you intend to hit her in the eye,” Brennan asked Carrington.

“I don’t even know why I would intend to hit anybody in the eye. That doesn’t even make sense to me,” Carrington responded. “I didn’t know I hit her. I was trying to make a play on the ball, and I guess I followed through and hit her. Obviously, it’s never intentional, that’s not even the type of player I am,” she added.

Jackson’s statement blasted Brennan in very personal language.

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT – SEPTEMBER 25: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks to pass against DiJonai Carrington #21 of the Connecticut Sun during the first quarter of Game Two of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)More

Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) goes to the basket against Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives on Los Angeles Sparks guard Kia Nurse (10) in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shot over Connecticut Sun forward Brionna Jones (42) in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

“That so-called interview in the name of journalism was a blatant attempt to bait a professional athlete into participating in a narrative that is false and designed to fuel racist, homophobic, and misogynistic vitriol on social media,” Jackson said.

Carrington is Black and lesbian.

“Instead of demonstrating the cornerstones of journalism ethics like integrity, objectivity, and a fundamental commitment to truth, you have chosen to be indecent and downright insincere,” she added.

Backlash over Christine Brennan’s questions

The WNBA has not commented. USA Today’s sports executive editor, Roxanna Scott, issued a statement that said, “We reject the notion that the interview perpetuated any narrative other than to get the player’s perspective directly.”

Brennan’s only comment came Saturday on her X account, in a response to a colleague defending her.

“I’ll keep asking questions and seeking answers. It’s Journalism 101,” she wrote.

Brennan has been a sportswriter and columnist for more than 40 years. She was among the first women to cover an NFL team, is the author of seven books and has covered the last 20 Olympic Games.

Carrington is in her fourth season with the WNBA after playing college basketball at Stanford and Baylor. She won this season’s award for Most Improved Player. After eliminating the Fever, the Sun face the Minnesota Lynx in a WNBA playoff semifinal series.