A “tired” WNBA reporter is taking a break from covering the league.
The WNBA has made all sorts of headlines in recent months – many of which have nothing to do with basketball. There was Sophie Cunningham’s comments on transgender athletes, Enes Kanter’s declaration for the 2027 WNBA Draft, the constant narratives surrounding Caitlin Clark and more.
WNBA reporter Roberta announced on social media that she’s “tired” and will be taking a break from covering the league.
Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images.
The WNBA reporter says that she’s tired from the “harassment” and “countless” attempts to discredit her work.
WNBA reporter announces she’s taking a step back
“I am (taking) a small step back from public facing women’s basketball coverage for the next month and change. My plan is to be active again on social media after the World Cup break.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defeated. I’m just tired. Tired from the harassment, the gaslight and the countless attempts to discredit me and my work simply because I am not afraid to name the problems.
“Women’s basketball has been the love of my life for years now. It has guided almost every step I have taken in life. And yes, I fell in love with it because it’s way, way more than a game. As much as I appreciate the Xs and Os, it’s what it represents off the court that has drawn me and kept me tied to it for almost two decades.
“That being said, seeing the current state of the WNBA, the agents that have been allowed to infiltrate what has been a safe space for the sake of “growing the game,” the chokehold the league, teams, players and media are because of a specific fan base, has completely taken away the joy of the game for me.
“Covering women’s basketball has recently brought me more anxiety than joy. Perhaps it’s the lies that have been told about me, the threats, the invasion of privacy and even the silence from people who could speak up. But it was the latest wave of harassment, which included people finding my phone number, that did it for me.
“I need some time. It doesn’t mean I’ll completely step away. I love the WNBA too much and will focus on long-form writing for Forbes and behind the scenes support for Black Rosie Media. Yes, I might show up here, but not nearly as much.
“I’m brave and I have thick skin. But I also have boundaries and know my limits. This step back is so I don’t cross any of them. I know some will use this to make fun of me or minimize what I have been through. Well, help yourself. You’ll probably be talking to a wall.
“To end this long message, I would like to urge WNBA media and fans to not be afraid nor complacent. We have been in this space long before these agents of chaos and we can’t let them take this space away from us.
“And to the haters… meh, nevermind, you’re not worth my time.”
The WNBA season will be taking a break next month, before returning following the World Cup.
