logo
WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers slams ‘White privilege' in sports media coverage; says black athletes are undercovered

WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers slams ‘White privilege' in sports media coverage; says black athletes are undercovered

Time of India06-05-2025

Paige Bueckers raised an important point during a recent interview. Source: X
Paige Bueckers says Black women are undercovered by sports media
In a recent interview, WNBA star Paige Bueckers addressed racial disparities in media coverage of women's basketball. To be specific, Bueckers said that Black female athletes are undercover and do not get the visibility white female athletes do.The No. 1 overall pick for the Dallas Wings stressed that Black women athletes continue to receive less media attention than white athletes, even with some improvements. This is not the first time the athlete has addressed this issue. During the 2021 ESPY Awards acceptance speech, Bueckers highlighted the limited media coverage for Black women in sports.Bueckers had mentioned that Black athletes frequently dominate in performance, but their media visibility doesn't reflect their contributions. She reiterated this point in her recent interview and said, "It's still an issue, every single day. There's not ever equal coverage." The media coverage gap is particularly clear in the WNBA, a league primarily made up of Black women.Despite this, white players like Bueckers and Caitlin Clark often receive more media attention. Bueckers acknowledged this imbalance, "I feel like I've worked extremely hard, blessed by God. But I do think there's more opportunities for me. I feel like even just marketability, people tend to favor white people, white males, white women."The underrepresentation of Black women in sports media has wider consequences, affecting the visibility of their achievements and the stories told about their careers. During the ESPY Awards, Bueckers had said, 'With the light that I have now as a white woman who leads a Black-led sport, and celebrated here, I want to show a light on Black women."'They don't get the media coverage that they deserve. They've given so much to the sport, and the community, and society as a whole, and their value is undeniable. …She further added, 'Sports media holds the key to storylines. Sports media and sponsors tell us who is valuable, and you have told the world that I matter today. And everyone who voted, thank you. But I think we should use this power together to also celebrate Black women.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Angel Reese turns heads with celebration of her dog Thiago amid WNBA struggle
Angel Reese turns heads with celebration of her dog Thiago amid WNBA struggle

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Angel Reese turns heads with celebration of her dog Thiago amid WNBA struggle

Angel Reese turns heads with celebration of her dog Thiago amid WNBA struggle (Image Source: Getty Images) In the middle of rapidly increasing criticism over Angel Reese's recent WNBA performance and a fiery rivalry stealing headlines, Angel Reese finds herself in the spotlight once more, but for an unexpected reason. Days after a tough defeat, she shared an extravagant birthday tribute to her dog, Thiago, igniting a wave of both praise and scrutiny. Was this a way to sidestep the drama or a defiant move in career turbulence? What's truly happening with Angel Reese? Let's take a closer look. Angel Reese shows love to her dog Thiago on his birthday Angel Reese threw a birthday party for her dog, Thiago King Reese, who just turned two. She posted cute photos on Instagram. One showed Thiago with a small cake and an unlit candle. Another showed him sitting in a fancy Louis Vuitton dog bag, looking happy and stylish. Angel called Thiago her 'baby boy' and said she loves him a lot. She first got Thiago while dating Cam'Ron Fletcher, a former basketball player. Even though the two broke up in early 2024, Angel kept Thiago and continued to spoil him. This sweet moment showed a softer side of the tough basketball player. The photos were taken at her home in Chicago and quickly caught fans' attention online. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo Many people praised her for being such a caring pet mom. Angel Reese turns heads with celebration of her dog Thiago amid WNBA struggle (Image Source: Instagram Story) Angel Reese faces tough game and online criticism after loss Just two days before Thiago's birthday post, Angel Reese had a rough time on the court. On June 7, the Chicago Sky played against the Indiana Fever at Wintrust Arena. The Sky lost the game badly, with a score of 79-52. Angel only scored four points. After the game, fans criticized her performance. Some even made fun of her for wearing a stylish outfit but not playing well. There is also talk about her rivalry with Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever. Some fans and media have been making the rivalry bigger than it is. On June 9, WNBA legend Candace Parker told Newsweek that the drama should stop. She said, 'It needs to end for the sake of the WNBA,' pointing out how the constant talk brings bad attention. This issue also brings up an old incident from May 17, 2024. During a game in Indiana, some fans were accused of saying racist things to Angel Reese. But after an investigation, the WNBA said there was no proof. Still, on May 21, Angel spoke out, saying, 'There's no place in this league for racism.' Angel Reese is now trying to stay strong through the ups and downs. While she shows love to her dog Thiago, she is also dealing with pressure from fans, critics, and the spotlight. Also Read: Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Michael Beasley makes bold claim about defeating LeBron James

No surprises as South Africa name strong playing XI for WTC Final vs Australia
No surprises as South Africa name strong playing XI for WTC Final vs Australia

India Today

time4 hours ago

  • India Today

No surprises as South Africa name strong playing XI for WTC Final vs Australia

With the World Test Championship Final between South Africa and Australia set to begin on 11 June at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London, the Proteas have unveiled their Temba Bavuma-led playing XI for the high-stakes clash — sticking largely with the core that brought them success in recent Test were no last-minute surprises or experimental changes in the side, as South Africa named a line-up similar to the one that defeated Pakistan in their most recent Test series triumph. This time, the Proteas will be up against Pat Cummins-led Australia, who will be walking into the final with confidence from their Border Gavaskar Trophy triumph against Proteas' top order will be bolstered by in-form skipper Temba Bavuma, alongside Aiden Markram — who will hope to carry over his strong IPL 2025 form into the Test format, where his record has been mixed. Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne, both consistent performers in red-ball cricket, continue to hold their spots. The middle order features Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham, who have also shown promising contributions with the bat. In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will spearhead the pace attack, with Lungi Ngidi adding further depth. Keshav Maharaj remains the only full-time spinner in the only change in the Proeteas XI for the WTC Final and that of their last clash against Pakistan came in Ngidi coming back into the mix for Kwena Mphaka, after having missed their previous clashes due to an Proteas have unveiled their XI for the Ultimate TestRead more on the #WTC25 Final ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2025advertisementWTC Final: South Africa Playing XITemba Bavuma (c),Aiden Markram,Ryan Rickelton,Wiaan Mulder,Tristan Stubbs,David Bedingham,Kyle Verrynne,Marco Jansen,Keshav Maharaj,Kagiso Rabada,Lungi NgidiSouth Africa have reached their maiden World Test Championship Final, thanks largely to their dominant performances on home soil throughout the cycle. Under coach Shukri Conrad, the team boasts a formidable bowling attack — one that's expected to thrive with the Dukes ball in English will also be South Africa's second major ICC final in as many years. After suffering a heartbreaking loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final — a game they let slip from a winning position — the Proteas now have another shot at redemption. As they prepare to face Australia at Lord's, they'll be determined to shed their long-standing reputation for faltering on the big Watch

Sparks Star: Clark and Reese both bring unique strengths to WNBA
Sparks Star: Clark and Reese both bring unique strengths to WNBA

Time of India

time8 hours ago

  • Time of India

Sparks Star: Clark and Reese both bring unique strengths to WNBA

The heated media narrative around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is drawing strong reactions from WNBA veterans and fans alike. Sparks legend Candace Parker recently called out the 'nasty work' by the media, criticizing how the two rookies are constantly compared rather than celebrated individually. Former WNBA star Swin Cash echoed this sentiment, urging people to avoid reducing Reese to a single foul or moment, saying, 'It's deeper than that.' Meanwhile, a Rice University study found stark racial bias in online discourse, showing that Clark's gestures were praised while Reese faced disproportionate criticism. As the spotlight intensifies, the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese debate reveals deeper issues like media bias, race and how young athletes are represented in sports media representation. Rising stars: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese shine in 2025 WNBA season The 2025 WNBA season is underway, and two of its brightest young stars—Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese—are continuing to make headlines. Both in their sophomore year, the duo is proving their value on the court, even as media comparisons and polarizing debates swirl around them. Caitlin Clark's dominance cut short by injury Following a stellar 2024 campaign where she was named WNBA Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark opened the 2025 season with strong momentum. Through the Indiana Fever's first four games, Clark averaged an impressive 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game, solidifying her reputation as one of the league's top playmakers. However, Clark's progress hit a temporary pause when she suffered a left quadriceps strain, as reported by the team on May 27. Despite the setback, her early-season performance affirmed her role as a transformative player for the Fever. Angel Reese making noise in chicago Meanwhile, Angel Reese, who entered the WNBA alongside Clark in 2024, is carving out her own powerful narrative. The Chicago Sky forward is averaging 9.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game through her first seven appearances this season—an effort that includes four double-doubles. Her consistent rebounding and physical presence have made her a cornerstone of the Sky's frontcourt. While both Clark and Reese are contributing significantly to their teams, the conversation around them remains dominated by comparisons—something many former WNBA greats are now openly challenging. Candace Parker: 'What are we doing?' As the media continues to draw parallels between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Candace Parker, former Los Angeles Sparks star and future Hall of Famer, weighed in with a strong rebuke of the ongoing narrative. Speaking on a recent episode of Jemele Hill's "Spolitics", Parker called out the flawed logic behind the comparisons. 'It's like comparing apples and oranges… What are we doing? They like doing the Magic and Bird comparisons… I'm not falling into that,' Parker said. She emphasized that both players bring unique strengths to the game. 'I think there are a number of things that Angel Reese can improve on. The thing about Caitlin, yes, she can shoot from the logo, but she makes her team better,' she added. A study in media bias and public perception A recent Rice University and University of Illinois Chicago study sheds light on the deeper implications of the Clark-Reese discourse. By analyzing more than 700,000 tweets, researchers found that Clark's confident behavior was largely praised, while Reese faced criticism—often laced with racial undertones—for similar actions on the court. This disparity has fueled ongoing discussions about race, gender, and bias in sports media. It also reinforces the call from Parker and others for a more balanced and respectful treatment of young athletes, especially women of color. Swin Cash defends Reese, rejects oversimplification Joining the chorus of WNBA legends challenging the media narrative, Swin Cash, another former WNBA star, came to Angel Reese's defense. She criticized those reducing Reese to a single technical foul or one emotional moment. 'It's deeper than that,' Cash said. 'We cannot oversimplify a player's development or contribution based on one play.' Her remarks echoed Parker's: both legends are urging the public and media to stop pitting Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese against each other, and instead recognize the different paths and skill sets each athlete brings. The bigger picture: Celebrating individuality in women's sports As the WNBA grows in popularity and visibility, the scrutiny on players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese will only intensify. However, their journeys should be seen as complementary—not competitive. Clark's court vision and perimeter shooting, paired with Reese's dominance on the boards and hustle on defense, offer diverse examples of what excellence looks like in today's women's game. Both athletes are helping push the WNBA forward, and as Candace Parker made clear, it's time the conversation around them evolved too.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store