In episode 3 of Beyond the Byline: A WNBA Podcast, Christan Braswell and Jasmine Harper speak candidly about the W(NBA). They get into topics currently swamping conversations about the league such as biased coverage on First Take, which was called out by Monica McNutt, the discrepancy in coverage between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, poor officiating to start the season, player harassment online and in-person, and much more.
Connect with us on X/Twitter to stay up to date on all things WNBA: @harperxxwrites, @snacks4tweets, @alfcorriette.
This beat was brought to you by Dassi Beats Production, LLC.
TIMESTAMPS
The situation on First Take (00:02:03) Discussion about the conversation on First Take regarding WNBA players Caitlin Clark and Kennedy Carter and the disrespectful comments made.
Stephen A and Shannon Sharpe's comments (00:03:17) Analysis of the disrespectful comments made by Stephen A and Shannon Sharpe towards black women in the sports media space.
Coverage of the WNBA (00:05:17) Opinions on the coverage of the WNBA by ESPN and other networks, including the lack of consistent and respectful coverage.
Misconceptions and disrespect (00:12:19) Discussion about the misconceptions and disrespect surrounding the WNBA, including the impact of media rhetoric and the league's growth.
WNBA Charter Flights (00:15:51) Discussion on the introduction of charter flights for WNBA players and the premature rollout.
Advancements in the League (00:17:48) Coverage of the progress and challenges in the WNBA, including maternity leave and the league's growth.
Coverage Disparities: Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark (00:20:05) Comparison of media portrayal and treatment of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, including racial and gender dynamics.
Vocalization and Media Attention (00:21:26) Analysis of Angel Reese's vocal presence and media attention, including the balance between vocalization and focus on basketball.
Responsibility and Publicity (00:29:06) Discussion on Caitlin Clark's reserved approach to social media, the responsibilities of being a generational player, and addressing public conversations.
Fan Behavior and Media Perception (00:31:07) Reflection on fan behavior, media portrayal, and the limitations of making statements to influence fan behavior.
Navigating Media and PR (00:31:47) Discusses handling media, PR teams, and navigating the WNBA landscape as a rookie.
Challenges in Media Coverage (00:33:11) Addresses the annoyance with superficial questions, the need for reputable coverage, and the impact of media coverage on players.
Refereeing and Player Protection (00:35:39) Highlights concerns about referee decisions, player protection, and the impact of media coverage on how players are refereed.
Respect and Responsibility in Media (00:41:09) Emphasizes the need for respect towards women, especially black women, in WNBA media coverage and the responsibility of media members.
Balanced Coverage and Respectful Messaging (00:44:25) Discusses the need for balanced coverage of players, the impact of framing in media coverage, and the responsibility of media in messaging.
Conclusion and Future Episodes (00:45:40) Signs off the episode and teases the return of Alford Corriette for future insight.
