NBA player Grant Williams recently expressed his frustration with what he perceives as the “disrespectful” media coverage of the USA Women’s National Basketball Team during the Olympics. Despite the team’s incredible achievement of winning 60 consecutive Olympic games and being on the verge of securing their eighth-straight gold medal, Williams believes they are not receiving the recognition they deserve compared to the men’s team.
Williams, who has been in Paris covering the games, took to social media to highlight the disparity. He wrote, “If we really want to move the W game forward, it’s not just up to fans; it’s also about the coverage they receive. Being behind the scenes here at the Olympics, the difference between men’s vs. women’s postgame attention is disrespectful, and the women deserve better. Internationally and domestically!”
If we really want to move the W game forward it’s not just upto fans it’s also the coverage they receive. Being behind the scenes here at Olympics the difference between men’s vs women’s postgame is disrespectful and the women deserve better. Internationally and domestically!
— Grant Williams (@Grant2Will) August 9, 2024
While it’s challenging to quantify the exact amount of coverage each team has received, it’s evident that the men’s team, featuring superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, has garnered much of the media’s attention. This may be partly due to the thrilling nature of their games, such as a nail-biting victory over Serbia that required standout performances from these stars. In contrast, the women have dominated their opponents throughout the tournament, making their victories seem almost routine.
The conversation also touches on Caitlin Clark, who was notably left off the women’s Olympic roster, sparking debates about media coverage and team selection. Some fans have pointed out that Clark’s exclusion might have contributed to the lack of media focus on the women’s team. However, Williams responded by emphasizing the importance of honoring veteran players like Diana Taurasi, whose illustrious career, according to him, rightfully earned her a spot on the team over Clark. He criticized the media for not doing enough to promote Taurasi and explain why her inclusion was essential.
Despite the ongoing debate and the perceived lack of coverage, the USA Women’s National Basketball Team remains focused on their goal, continuing to dominate the competition without letting external noise distract them. Whether or not the media catches up, the team is proving that they are a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.
