Cindy Brunson of the WNBA Phoenix Mercury, one of Caitlin Clark of the WNBA Indiana Fever most vocal critics, or dare I say haters, has been officially fired from the Phoenix Mercury broadcast team. And she’s not just removed from Fever games, she’s gone from ALL 2025 games – following the firing of her best friend, Sheryl Swoopes of the WNBA Dallas Wings.
The WNBA’s Reckoning: How Caitlin Clark Changed the League—and Its Voices—Forever
Introduction: A League at a Crossroads
The 2024 WNBA season will be remembered as a year of transformation. Not just for the dazzling play on the court, the record-breaking viewership, or the meteoric rise of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, but for the seismic shifts happening behind the scenes—most notably, the controversial removal of two of the league’s most prominent broadcasters, Cindy Brunson and Cheryl Swoops.
What began as a quiet ripple—one broadcaster’s contract not renewed, another’s name missing from a team’s schedule—has exploded into a full-blown conversation about the future of women’s basketball, the power of media narratives, and what it means to protect a league’s most valuable assets.
But is this a story of justice and progress, or of censorship and silencing? As the dust settles, fans, players, and pundits alike are left to ask: Is the WNBA cleaning house for the better, or simply sweeping its problems under the rug?
Caitlin Clark didn’t just arrive in the WNBA—she detonated onto the scene.
From her first tip-off with the Indiana Fever, Clark was a magnet for attention. Formerly the face of college basketball at Iowa, she brought a legion of fans, a tsunami of media coverage, and unprecedented commercial interest to the league. Her jersey became a bestseller overnight. TV ratings for Fever games soared, often outdrawing NBA matchups airing in the same time slots.
But with great stardom comes great scrutiny. Every move Clark made, on and off the court, was dissected. Her dazzling three-pointers and fearless drives were praised, but so too were her turnovers, her defense, even her facial expressions—each a subject for debate.
And nowhere was that debate more heated than in the broadcast booth.
For years, Cindy Brunson was a respected voice in women’s basketball. As a member of the Phoenix Mercury’s broadcast team, she offered insights, anecdotes, and play-by-play that endeared her to many fans. Cheryl Swoops, a Hall of Famer and four-time WNBA champion, brought gravitas and experience to her role with the Dallas Wings and the league-sponsored “Queens of the Court” podcast.
But as Clark’s star rose, something shifted.
Brunson’s commentary became markedly more critical. Rather than celebrating Clark’s historic achievements—like breaking the NCAA scoring record—she repeatedly questioned their legitimacy, comparing them unfavorably to the feats of earlier legends like Swoops. Her analysis, once measured, took on a personal edge.
Swoops, too, seemed unable to resist the gravitational pull of the Clark discourse. On air and online, she cast doubt on Clark’s records, suggested her impact was overblown, and at times appeared openly dismissive of the rookie’s accomplishments.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
As the season progressed, tensions mounted—not just between broadcasters and Clark, but among fans, teams, and even sponsors. Social media became a battleground.
On X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote:
“I used to love Cindy Brunson’s calls, but the constant negativity toward Caitlin Clark is exhausting. Celebrate women’s basketball—don’t tear it down!”
Another posted:
“Cheryl Swoops is a legend, but her takes on Clark are just bitter. The league is changing, and some people can’t handle it.”
The criticism wasn’t just about Clark. Brunson, in particular, was accused of manufacturing drama within the Indiana Fever, suggesting star Kelsey Mitchell wanted out—a claim Mitchell herself denied. She even mocked Clark’s former Iowa teammate Monica Czinano, fueling further backlash.
As one Reddit user summarized:
“It’s not about disagreeing with Clark’s hype. It’s about crossing the line from analysis to personal attacks. That’s not what the WNBA needs right now.”
Then, the ax fell.
First, Cheryl Swoops’ name quietly disappeared from the Dallas Wings’ broadcast roster. Almost simultaneously, she was scrubbed from the “Queens of the Court” podcast, her image removed from the cover art and her name from episode credits. There was no press release, no dramatic statement—just absence.
Next came Cindy Brunson. The Phoenix Mercury announced their 2025 broadcast lineup, and Brunson’s name was nowhere to be found. Again, no fanfare, no explanation. She was gone—not just from Fever games, but from every Mercury broadcast.
The message was clear: the league and its teams were drawing a line. But what exactly was that line?
The WNBA is a business, and like any business, it lives and dies by its stars. Caitlin Clark is not just a player—she’s a phenomenon, a brand, a revenue engine. Allowing league-affiliated voices to undermine her, many argued, was simply bad for business.
A sports marketing executive, speaking anonymously, put it bluntly:
“You don’t let your own employees trash your most valuable product on national television. No other league would tolerate it.”
Indeed, the numbers tell the story. The 2024 season shattered viewership records. Merchandise sales soared. Sponsors lined up. And much of that was thanks to Clark and the new fans she brought with her.
A fan on TikTok captured the sentiment:
“This isn’t about silencing criticism. It’s about protecting the league’s future. If you can’t adapt, you get left behind.”
If the WNBA hoped the firings would quell controversy, they underestimated the passion of their fans.
Some celebrated the decision:
“About time! The league needs positivity, not bitterness. Good riddance to the haters.” — @hoopsqueen88
Others were more skeptical:
“So now you can’t criticize the golden girl without losing your job? That’s not progress, that’s censorship.” — @sportsdebate247
And some saw nuance:
“There’s a difference between fair criticism and personal vendettas. The WNBA needs to welcome debate, but keep it professional.” — @ballislife_women
The debate raged across platforms—X, Instagram, Reddit, YouTube—each side convinced they were defending the true spirit of the game.
While the WNBA itself has offered little public comment, sources suggest the league is increasingly focused on “brand alignment” and “positive storytelling.” Teams are under pressure to ensure their broadcasters reflect the values and aspirations of the league—growth, inclusivity, and respect for all players.
Insiders say the firings were not knee-jerk reactions, but the result of months of internal review, fan feedback, and sponsor concerns.
A league official, speaking off the record, explained:
“We want our broadcasts to elevate the game, not tear it down. Critique is welcome, but it must be fair and rooted in fact. Personal attacks have no place in our coverage.”
The league has also launched initiatives to combat toxicity and promote women’s basketball in a more positive light, including a new task force on hate speech and player welfare.
For Brunson and Swoops, the end of their WNBA broadcasting careers is a complicated legacy. Both were trailblazers—Brunson as a pioneering female broadcaster, Swoops as one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
Their supporters argue they brought authenticity and honesty to their roles, refusing to “toe the company line.” Their detractors say they failed to adapt, letting personal biases cloud their judgment at a time when the league needed unity.
A longtime Mercury fan wrote on Facebook:
“I’ll miss Cindy’s voice. She cared about the game. But the negativity got old. The league is bigger than any one broadcaster.”
A Dallas Wings supporter added:
“Cheryl Swoops is a legend, but legends can be wrong. The WNBA has to look forward, not back.”
With the 2025 season on the horizon, the WNBA faces a new reality. Broadcasters, bloggers, and influencers are all watching closely, wondering where the line is drawn between honest analysis and unacceptable negativity.
Some fear a chilling effect, where only positive coverage is tolerated. Others hope this marks a new era of professionalism and respect, where the league’s brightest stars are celebrated, not undermined.
As one viral tweet put it:
“Criticize the play, not the player. Celebrate the growth. That’s how you build a league.”
The pressure is on for the league’s new voices—whoever they may be—to strike the right balance.
The WNBA’s decision to part ways with Cindy Brunson and Cheryl Swoops is more than just a personnel move. It’s a statement—a declaration that the league is ready to embrace a new era, one where its stars are protected, its broadcasts are professional, and its brand is sacrosanct.
Whether this is the dawn of a more mature, unified league or the start of a slippery slope toward censorship remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Caitlin Clark has changed the WNBA forever, on the court and off.
As the league prepares for its most anticipated season yet, all eyes will be on the new voices in the booth—and the new stories they choose to tell.
Social Media Sidebar: Real Reactions from Real Fans
“The Mercury did the right thing. Clark is bringing in new fans. Why let negativity kill the vibe?” — @sunnybball
“I don’t want a league where everyone has to agree. But I do want respect. That’s not too much to ask.” — @midwesthoopsmom
“Clark is the future. If you can’t see that, maybe it’s time to move on.” — @futureisnowWNBA
https://youtu.be/0DbHbY8cniY
