The Indiana Fever has recieved backlash after the franchise revoked media credentials of freelance Fever reporter Scott Agness. The team management cited “inaccurate and unsubstantiated” reporting about Caitlin Clark’s health concerns as the reason behind the reporter’s suspension. After the update, the Professional Basketball Writers Association shared a statement on the recent happenings.
The media has been at loggerheads with several other analysts over criticism of Clark’s verbal spats with referees. Now, another confrontation between the franchise and a beat reporter has taken over the WNBA world. The PBWA stated:
“The PBWA objects in the strongest possible terms to any reporter losing access for the act of reporting. Any effort to prevent reporters from doing the work of informing the public reflects poorly on any team and league which attempts to do so, and runs contrary to the best interests of all involved, most of all the public.”
Agness, who earlier worked for The Athletic, reported on Clark’s availability before the Fever’s first game against the Portland Fire. The franchise took note of the reporter’s post, suggesting that Clark’s absence was part of a “strategic management plan for the season.”
Clark was announced as out of the roster 100 minutes before the game, which is uncommon. Several fans and analysts speculated that it was because of the declining relationship between Clark and the team’s head coach, Stephanie White. However, the elite guard recently spoke to the media, clarifying rumors about their relationship and said that Steph “always has her back.”
“We need more boards…from guards,” Stephanie White highlights Fever’s focus before the Dream matchup
The Indiana Fever will next face the Atlanta Dream, extending the high-profile rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Even though Clark has dominated the rivalry thus far, the Fever has a lot of issues to address this time. The team is coming off back-to-back losses, and the last one to the Fire was especially humiliating.
Talking about the team’s issues in the frontcourt before the next game, head coach Stephanie White said:
“We need more boards, we need more rebounding, but that has to come from guards too. That’s got to be a collective effort. Often times the bigs are occupied with keeping other bigs off the glass. I’d like to see more, you know, off-ball cutting and getting out screens quicker.”
Aliyah Boston leads the rebounding (7.4) this season, but the backcourt has been rarely active on the glass. Steph and Co. will have to address the issues soon and get their season back on track. The team needs help right now, and it has to come from the core.
READ MORE: Cari Champion Calls Caitlin Clark Fans ‘Unhinged’ After Facing Online Vitriol Over Basketball Take
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