‘Part of the Problem,’ ‘She Is the Division She Hates’ — Critics Push Back As Elle Duncan Doubles Down on Calling the WNBA Toxic to Cover

Michael Macasero Wed, October 14, 2026 at 6:07 AM UTC

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Elle Duncan said at Front Office Sports' Tuned In summit that covering the WNBA is toxic, repeating a view from August, and critics pushed back.Elle Duncan says covering the WNBA has become “toxic as hell. ” The former ESPN host, who now leads USA Network’s WNBA studio coverage, made the remark Tuesday at Front Office Sports’ “Tuned In” summit.

Elle Duncan says covering the WNBA has become “toxic as hell.” The former ESPN host, who now leads USA Network’s WNBA studio coverage, made the remark Tuesday at Front Office Sports’ “Tuned In” summit.

Her comments drew criticism from fans and commentators, some of whom accused Duncan of contributing to the same divisiveness she was describing.

Elle Duncan Faces Backlash Over WNBA Toxicity Comments

Duncan said the WNBA has become caught up in culture wars, particularly, she claims, because many of its players are Black and queer. “It feels like open season to dunk on Black women because we do not have protection. Because no one cares.”

She accused opportunists of targeting Black and queer women while singling out one player they identify with. Duncan said the racism directed at WNBA players also affects Black women covering the league, including herself.

Duncan made similar comments in an Aug. 14 episode of “WHYY’s Sports in America” podcast. Speaking with host David Greene, she called the WNBA “the most toxic space to cover,” adding that it was “incredibly frustrating and sad.”

She said her assessment came from her own experience covering different sports and from conversations with other reporters. When Greene asked whether players should avoid making comments likely to attract controversy, Duncan said everyone has a responsibility, including the players, the league, fans, and the media.

At Tuesday’s summit, Duncan anticipated the reaction her comments would receive online. She joked that she would have to stay away from her mentions for a couple of days because people would clip her remarks.

“It’s going to be me lamenting that being a Black woman is so hard, and someone’s going to tweet at me that I work at Netflix and I’m fine and I don’t have any struggles in my life.”

Rosalina Lee, a women’s basketball content creator who has written for Indiana Fever on SI, was among those who pushed back. “You don’t get to light a match and walk away from the flame. She was part of the problem,” Lee wrote. “If you’re going to speak on the problem, tell the whole story, not just half that serves your narrative. Otherwise, you’re not helping solve anything. You’re helping it grow.”

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Another reaction anticipatedly brought up Duncan’s move to Netflix.

“Elle is making millions at Netflix now off of the popularity and attention Caitlin Clark brought to the WNBA. Here is her complaining more about the fans and how marginalized she is,” Ken Swift tweeted.

One fan was even less sympathetic, writing, “She is the division she hates.”

Another sports commentator accused Duncan of avoiding Clark’s name and went as far as to claim she “wants Caitlin and Sophie Cunningham gone out of the WNBA.”

Duncan has maintained that Clark shouldn’t be held responsible for people using her name to attack other players. In the interview, she called for continued support for WNBA players and urged the league to “get these bad-faith characters out of here.”

SEE ALSO:‘There’s No Hate’ – WNBA Legend Candace Parker Admits She ‘Was Wrong’ About Her Controversial Angel Reese Ranking

But the criticism of Duncan shows how divided the conversation has become.

While she believes players and members of the media are being targeted, some fans and commentators believe the media has helped fuel the hostility. Both sides have made their frustrations clear, with little agreement over who’s responsible for the problems Duncan described.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.

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Source: “AOL Sports”