WNBA Hall of Famers Discuss Flagrant Call and League Narrative Amid Growing Controversies
Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller commented on a recent flagrant foul ejection and warned against external forces shaping the WNBA's narrative as the league enters its 30th season.
During Saturday night’s matchup between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, Sky forward DiJonai Carrington was ejected after receiving a Flagrant 2 foul for contact with Fever guard Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham described the foul as unnecessary and suggested Carrington may have had "some pent up stuff" against her. Fever head coach Stephanie White said the foul was hard but not intentional, adding that the officials made the correct call.
After the incident, Carrington posted a statement on social media. WNBA Hall of Famers and NBC Sports analysts Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller used the episode to discuss broader narratives surrounding the league. Miller said she wants the league’s leadership to protect its brand during collective bargaining and to prevent outsiders from hijacking the narrative. > "I want to see that same leadership during the collective bargaining agreement and how they rallied around the brand, the WNBA," Miller said.
Bird highlighted the need for a united front among players and the league, noting that some individuals attempt to exploit the WNBA for personal gain. > "This is such a nuanced conversation. But I do think there are people trying to leverage our league for their own personal gain...what I learned is you have tough conversations behind closed doors and strategize," Bird said.
Bird also reflected on her experience during the 2020 season, when the league emphasized social-justice issues, and expressed concern that the focus on basketball is now being used against the sport’s advocates. > "We fought for so many years — but in 2020 especially — to get to a point to where we were talking about the basketball. And somehow, now the basketball is being used against us," she said.