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Brian Hamilton

@brianchamilton.bsky.social
3.6K followers 199 following 154 posts

Senior writer for The Athletic. A lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what-have-yous.

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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"I didn’t even know the Golden State Valkyries were going to be a thing," Veronica Burton said, "and here I am." A castoff became one of the WNBA’s most valuable assets because she got the chance, and loosened her grip. @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
Veronica Burton went from overlooked to indispensable with the Golden State Valkyries (Gift Article)
Burton has been a key to Golden State Valkyries quick ascent in the WNBA.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"I didn’t even know the Golden State Valkyries were going to be a thing," Veronica Burton said, "and here I am." A castoff became one of the WNBA’s most valuable assets because she got the chance, and loosened her grip. @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
Veronica Burton went from overlooked to indispensable with the Golden State Valkyries (Gift Article)
Burton has been a key to Golden State Valkyries quick ascent in the WNBA.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark are right there, and not close. And everyone will wait, feet tapping, until they arrive. @theathletic.com column after the defending champs ended things in Las Vegas: www.nytimes.com/athletic/765...
nytimes.com
Caitlin Clark and Fever now face new expectations after playoff elimination (Gift Article)
Puzzling out how to construct a title-winning supporting cast will be a necessary, complicated task for the Fever in its title quest.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"The attention is the money, and the money is the attention, and you can’t love one and resent the other forever." Spot-on here from @theathletic.com's Jason Lloyd. www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
The WNBA wanted attention. A’ja Wilson should know what comes with it (Gift Article)
There's a reason strict rules against confronting fans exist, especially after the Malice at the Palace. The WNBA's inaction is troubling.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“I knew what I was capable of doing in the league,” Jessica Shepard says. The WNBA’s Most Improved Player officially has the trophy to prove it. Now can she bounce back to save the Wings' season? @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
Jessica Shepard’s time has arrived with Wings: Can WNBA’s Most Improved Player bounce back again? (Gift Article)
Shepard may be the key for the Wings to rally against the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the first round.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“I knew what I was capable of doing in the league,” Jessica Shepard says. The WNBA’s Most Improved Player officially has the trophy to prove it. Now can she bounce back to save the Wings' season? @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
Jessica Shepard’s time has arrived with Wings: Can WNBA’s Most Improved Player bounce back again? (Gift Article)
Shepard may be the key for the Wings to rally against the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the first round.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"I've never A’ja Wilson go like that," Becky Hammon said. A Game 2 loss and a four-time MVP's fuss with a fan comes to this: If the frazzled Aces don't reclaim their identity, imagine the finger-pointing then. @theathletic.com column from Indianpolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
A’ja Wilson, Aces frazzled and frustrated in Fever loss. In Game 3, they must reclaim their identity (Gift Article)
Las Vegas will now have to fend off the end of the season, at the hands of a team trying to be the next version of the Aces.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"I've never A’ja Wilson go like that," Becky Hammon said. A Game 2 loss and a four-time MVP's fuss with a fan comes to this: If the frazzled Aces don't reclaim their identity, imagine the finger-pointing then. @theathletic.com column from Indianpolis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...
nytimes.com
A’ja Wilson, Aces frazzled and frustrated in Fever loss. In Game 3, they must reclaim their identity (Gift Article)
Las Vegas will now have to fend off the end of the season, at the hands of a team trying to be the next version of the Aces.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Aces have A'ja Wilson. Nobody else does. That explains a lot of Sunday. But it's not the only conundrum for the Fever, or any other team. @theathletic.com column from Game 1 in Las Vegas, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
Advantage in the WNBA playoffs goes to the team with A’ja Wilson, as usual (Gift Article)
Wilson scored 38 points to dominate the Fever in Game 1.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The Aces have A'ja Wilson. Nobody else does. That explains a lot of Sunday. But it's not the only conundrum for the Fever, or any other team. @theathletic.com column from Game 1 in Las Vegas, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
Advantage in the WNBA playoffs goes to the team with A’ja Wilson, as usual (Gift Article)
Wilson scored 38 points to dominate the Fever in Game 1.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 25/09/2026
From @theathletic.com: Everywhere Caitlin Clark goes, the spectacle follows. Seemingly every move becomes a headline. Amid the constant attention and expectations, Clark is trying to hold on to the joy that made people want to watch her in the first place. nyti.ms/4dZqw8r
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Can the WNBA’s biggest star just play basketball? Let’s ask Caitlin Clark
"“Everybody wants her to be something." But what does Clark want to be?
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Can Caitlin Clark just play basketball? Over 15 days in five cities, and one phone call about her garden, I tried to find out. Free to read @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
nytimes.com
Can the WNBA’s biggest star just play basketball? Let’s ask Caitlin Clark (Gift Article)
"“Everybody wants her to be something." But what does Clark want to be?
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Olivia Miles' curiosity made her The Spectacle. She's just not necessarily built to handle one. But if the WNBA's newest superstar does it well, it's because she asked herself the hardest questions already. Free to read @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"You understand this is the next phase of the league." Olivia Miles reset expectations in Minnesota and, well, wound up in people's yards. The curious Spectacle also changed the conversation about the WNBA's next 30 years. Free to read @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
What makes Olivia Miles exactly ‘The Spectacle’ that the WNBA needs? (Gift Article)
Miles has been a revelation in her first professional season, guiding the Lynx to the best record in the league.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The search for the next WNBA commissioner is unofficially underway. Identifying someone who can "unify the players with the players and the players with ownership," is a top priority for NBA commissioner Adam Silver. www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Adam Silver says next WNBA commissioner should help 'unify' the league
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 11/09/2026
The WNBA’s growth created a rift, with longtime and new fans having different expectations. The next commissioner will need to hold that fanbase under one roof without pretending the fracture isn’t political, @jerrybrewer.bsky.social writes. Read for free: nyti.ms/4yC9OEi
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Former LSU center Kate Koval is in the transfer portal and will be immediately eligible after being granted a waiver, a source confirmed to @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Center Kate Koval receives NCAA waiver to transfer from LSU
Koval, who is Ukrainian, decided to transfer after LSU signed a Russian post player.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
i get it, the Jack White set on Thanksgiving was so amazing that you don't want to explode people's heads with Soundgarden on opening night they're just looking out for us
static.klipy.com
Now You Know The More You Know PSA
ALT: Now You Know The More You Know PSA
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Cathy Engelbert was a good commissioner for someone who once ran an accounting firm. Now the WNBA needs a true visionary. @theathletic.com column, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Cathy Engelbert did her job. Now the WNBA needs a true visionary as commissioner
The game has earned that type of leadership — a tone-setter instead of a caretaker.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Kate Koval detailed her decision to leave LSU was tied to the recruitment of "a Russian player" in an Instagram post on Wednesday. What this means for Koval's eligibility for the upcoming season is unclear at this point. www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Ukrainian center Kate Koval details leaving LSU after recruitment of Russian player
Koval says she was told about the recruitment after the transfer window closes. She's hoping the NCAA allows her to play elsewhere.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 02/09/2026
Introducing The Athletic LIVE 🎥🚨 A new show that brings together fans, journalists and creators for the most interesting “group chat” in sports. The show will launch on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and will stream on YouTube, The Athletic app and theathletic.com. Details: bit.ly/3URycTv
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
NEWS: Skylar Diggins will miss the remainder of the 2026 season to focus on recovering from an aggravated right knee injury, the Sky announced Tuesday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...
nytimes.com
Sky guard Skylar Diggins to miss remainder of season with knee injury
Diggins has been sidelined with a right knee injury since July.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"He doesn’t lose his s—," Geno Auriemma says. "He stays pretty calm, which is probably a welcome relief to her." Pushing Paige Bueckers? Resurrecting the Dallas Wings? After a long climb, it's just basketball to Jose Fernandez. @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 26/08/2026
DeWanna Bonner is signing with the Atlanta Dream, a source tells @anniecostabile.bsky.social. The 17-year veteran will look to win a championship in what is expected to be her final season.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Early on, Jose Fernandez publicly called out his Dallas Wings. A superstar shrugged. "I was like, ‘Oh, just another day in life,'" says Paige Bueckers, expert in The Auriemma Method. On a fast-tracked rapport that resurrected a franchise, unlocked @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
Annie Costabile @anniecostabile.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Unrivaled’s valuation reaches $650 million after an oversubscribed Series C fundraise. In season 3 the league will be touring for roughly 8 games, up from two last season. This will also be the league's last playing at Sephora Arena in Medley, Fla. www.nytimes.com/athletic/753...
nytimes.com
Unrivaled announces new funding that sets league valuation at $650 million
The three-on-three league, founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will begin its third season in January, adding more tour stops.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"He doesn’t lose his s—," Geno Auriemma says. "He stays pretty calm, which is probably a welcome relief to her." Pushing Paige Bueckers? Resurrecting the Dallas Wings? After a long climb, it's just basketball to Jose Fernandez. @theathletic.com story, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 25/08/2026
Big Ten officials and athletic directors are considering a conference-wide rule that would prohibit football players from returning to college after signing with NFL teams, multiple people involved in the discussions told The Athletic. nyti.ms/4giGpbL
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Big Ten, ACC considering rules to prohibit players returning to college football from NFL (Gift Article)
A meeting is scheduled for later Tuesday, with player eligibility on the agenda.
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The New York Times @nytimes.com · 24/08/2026
From @theathletic.com: LIV Golf 1.0 met an unceremonious end Sunday at a country club in the Indianapolis suburbs. This league arrived with pomp and controversy, representing perhaps the strangest time in golf history.
nyti.ms
LIV Golf 1.0 met an unceremonious end. Inside the fight for what comes next
No longer is LIV trying to usurp the PGA Tour as golf's hegemonic power. It's now just about survival.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 24/08/2026
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was escorted out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday evening after Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud confronted him at his courtside baseline seat.
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 22/08/2026
The NHL is on track to award its 33rd franchise to Texas as soon as the end of the year, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic.
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 21/08/2026
The person who tossed a green sex toy onto the court during the Los Angeles Sparks and Atlanta Dream game on Thursday has been arrested and indefinitely banned from all WNBA, NBA and affiliated league games and events, a source confirmed to The Athletic. nyti.ms/3SKPPDW
nyti.ms
Individual who threw sex toy at Dream-Sparks game arrested, banned from league: Source (Gift Article)
The person hurled the object onto the court during the third quarter of the Dream's win, a theme that began last season.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee, the team announced. The season is over for the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft: nyti.ms/4qoBZDL
nyti.ms
Dallas Wings’ top pick Azzi Fudd to undergo season-ending knee surgery (Gift Article)
The UConn product will begin rehabbing immediately after the procedure, the Dallas Wings announced.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 19/08/2026
Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd will miss the rest of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on her right knee, the team announced. The season is over for the top pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft: nyti.ms/4qoBZDL
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 19/08/2026
Nneka Ogwumike is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons in the league. The WNBA champion and league MVP announced on "Boardroom Talks" that the 2026 season will be her last. nyti.ms/4gF46Lo
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 17/08/2026
On Sunday, the Phoenix Mercury retired Diana Taurasi’s No. 3. Taurasi is the WNBA’s All-Time leading scorer, a three-time WNBA champion, 11-time All-Star, 2009 MVP, five-time scoring champion, six-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time Finals MVP and 10-time All-WNBA first-teamer.  nyti.ms/4geBEPk
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Wanted to shout out the amazing illustration that accompanied my Angel Reese story into @nytimes.com print last week. Stunning stuff from Sam Falconer. (Story here is free to read, too.) www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Caitlin Clark back on the floor, warming up after tweaking her ankle late in the first half. The Indiana Fever faithful may now exhale.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Cheers for Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White at the end of pregame intros at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Fans apparently got the message sent by Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and more.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 14/08/2026
The Fever are at the center of the WNBA’s chaos. They’re also playing like one of the league’s best teams. Indiana has looked like a championship threat over the last month, with an offense that could finish as the best in history: nyti.ms/4qh0DG0
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Another weird thing happened with the Indiana Fever on Thursday: Nothing weird happened. They're at the center of WNBA chaos, yes. Somehow they’re also playing great and a serious postseason contender. Free to read column @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/751...
nytimes.com
The Fever are at the center of WNBA chaos. They’re also a serious postseason contender (Gift Article)
You may have missed it amid the storms, but the Fever have won seven of the last nine heading into Friday's matchup against the Wings.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 13/08/2026
The WNBA denounced “bad-faith efforts” to demean others during discussions on transgender athlete participation following a task force meeting Wednesday. No transgender policy decision is imminent, according to a source familiar with the talks. nyti.ms/4x26eTm
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WNBA condemns online ‘bad-faith efforts’ to toxify league amid divisive conversations (Gift Article)
The league also said there are no eligibility issues regarding transgender athletes at this time.
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 12/08/2026
From @theathletic.com: Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White fired back at online criticism after some on social media faulted White for not criticizing a flagrant foul committed against Sophie Cunningham in a recent game.
nyti.ms
Fever coach Stephanie White fires back at online criticism: ‘Everybody else can go to hell’
Some on social media faulted White for not criticizing a flagrant foul committed against Sophie Cunningham in a recent Fever game.
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 12/08/2026
Michael Blatt was on the verge of becoming the Seattle Seahawks’ GM. Then a longtime business associate was murdered with a crossbow. Blatt was charged with murder, but ultimately walked free. How? www.nytimes.com/athletic/748...
nyti.ms
A playboy NFL agent was in line to run the Seahawks. Then came the crossbow killing (Gift Article)
Michael Blatt, one of the most feared agents in football, was on the verge of taking over an NFL team. Then a rival turned up dead.
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
"I hated that our fans booed her before the game," Caitlin Clark said. "That made me a little sick, to be honest." Stephanie White's statement, strong words from a superstar and a big win. Just another night with the Indiana Fever. Free @theathletic.com story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
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Reposted by Brian Hamilton
The Athletic @theathletic.com · 12/08/2026
Railing against calls for her firing and an “online community that’s trying to create narratives that simply don’t exist,” Indiana coach Stephanie White made an impassioned two-minute statement defending her relationship with the Fever players. nyti.ms/4g1MKXB
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Quite the comment from Caitlin Clark, after Fever coach Stephanie White's emotional pregame statement: "I hated that our fans booed her before the game. That made me a little sick, to be honest."
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Caitlin Clark, following Stephanie White's emotional pregame and a win over New York: "I can assure you: There was no way we were losing this game tonight."
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Brian Hamilton @brianchamilton.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Today's Indiana Fever thunderclap: Stephanie White vigorously defends her relationship with players and rails against calls for her firing. "I stand by them, I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell." Free to read @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/750...
nytimes.com
Fever coach Stephanie White fires back at online criticism: ‘Everybody else can go to hell’ (Gift Article)
Some on social media faulted White for not criticizing a flagrant foul committed against Sophie Cunningham in a recent Fever game.
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The Athletic @theathletic.com · 11/08/2026
DiJonai Carrington said that her social media post about White privilege was not about her flagrant 2 foul on Sophie Cunningham on Saturday, but about a desire for “consistency across the board” in officiating, an issue that has sparked controversy throughout the WNBA season. nyti.ms/4wSMrpg
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DiJonai Carrington says White privilege post wasn’t about Sophie Cunningham (Gift Article)
The Chicago Sky guard said she was seeking “consistency across the board” in WNBA officiating.
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