WNBA’s Professionalism Problems

The WNBA is currently facing a significant professionalism problem, and it’s becoming more visible across various areas of the league—whether it’s with the teams, the media, or even the players. It’s gotten to the point where players who try to maintain professionalism are being singled out, which just goes to show how deep this issue runs.

Take, for instance, the situation with the Chicago Sky. When head coach Teresa Weatherspoon was fired, instead of the team making an official announcement, the news was broken by Angel Reese, a player, which caused quite a stir. Ideally, something this important should have come from the team itself. It’s not just isolated incidents like this either. Recently, major awards like Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year were leaked by NBA reporter Shams Charania before the
WNBA had a chance to make it official, highlighting a real lack of organization.

The league’s struggle with professionalism extends beyond just internal communications. Look at the Connecticut Sun, who had to share their practice court with a two-year-old’s birthday party right before the playoffs. And they’re not alone—teams like the Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky have also faced issues with poor facilities. It raises the question: How can you expect players to perform at their best when the conditions are far from professional?

The media has also come under fire. One particularly messy situation involved journalist Christine Brennan from USA Today, who was accused by the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA) of asking an inappropriate question. The WNBPA responded by releasing a statement that read more like a Twitter rant, calling Brennan out with language like “we call BS.” While it’s fair to address inappropriate behavior, the tone felt off—this is a professional association, and yet the response came across as emotional and reactive, rather than poised and measured.

A big part of the problem also lies in how some players are engaging on social media. The boundaries between fans and athletes have blurred, with some players forming toxic parasocial relationships with fans. In extreme cases, players have been found interacting with or following fans who spew harmful or racist language, and this dynamic becomes even more troubling when those same fans direct hateful comments toward other players.

But it’s not all bad news. The Indiana Fever stands out as a team that handles things with a high level of professionalism. Players like Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, and rookie star Aliyah Boston have faced criticism, especially on social media, but they’ve managed to rise above it. Instead of letting the negativity affect their game or their team, they’ve stayed focused and avoided the online drama. They understand the importance of not engaging with trolls and keeping the team’s best interest in mind. It’s a refreshing contrast in a league that otherwise seems to struggle in this area.

Unfortunately, even one of the WNBA’s premier franchises, the Las Vegas Aces, has fallen into unprofessional conduct, especially when it comes to player behavior online. It’s disappointing to see, given that the Aces are one of the faces of the league, yet they’re not holding themselves to the high standards you would expect from such a prestigious team.

In the end, the WNBA’s professionalism issue is widespread. The quality of basketball on the court is as good as ever, but everything off the court—from team operations to how the media is handled and how players conduct themselves—seems disorganized and unpolished. For the league to truly elevate itself as a professional sports organization, it will need to address these shortcomings head-on. Only then can it present itself as the growing, dynamic league it aspires to be.