The gloves are off between two familiar faces from ESPN's past. Cindy Brunson and Linda Cohn are locked in a public spat over the WNBA, and it's getting personal.
It all started when Cohn, a longtime SportsCenter anchor, took aim at WNBA media members on social media. She mocked a recent episode of The Athletic's "No Offseason" podcast, which floated the idea of Caitlin Clark coming off the bench in favor of Raven Johnson. Cohn's post, complete with laughing emojis, dismissed the take as "ridiculous observations."
That wasn't her only jab. Cohn also shared a clip of "Around the Horn" panelist David Dennis Jr. arguing that Clark wasn't a top-four guard in the league, captioning it, "Need a laugh?"
But Brunson, who spent over a decade at ESPN alongside Cohn, wasn't having it. She fired back on X, questioning Cohn's credibility as a critic of WNBA coverage.
"Curious @lindacohn where was all of the energy to cover the @wnba while you were at ESPN?!? We worked alongside there for 13 yrs & I don’t recall you using your clout to amplify the league or push for highlights on SportsCenter while the company willfully buried the W product," Brunson wrote.
Brunson's pointed response highlights a broader frustration among WNBA supporters: that the league's recent surge in popularity is often met with skepticism from those who didn't champion it during its quieter years. When a fan suggested Brunson also didn't push hard enough for WNBA coverage, she pushed back, noting that she "certainly didn’t have the pull a company veteran like Linda had."
This isn't the first time Cohn has drawn criticism for her takes on the WNBA. She's been vocal in defending players like Clark and Sophie Cunningham, often at the expense of reporters and analysts she views as out of touch. But Brunson's challenge adds a layer of accountability, asking whether Cohn's current outspokenness is backed by a history of support.
The exchange has ignited debate among fans, with many weighing in on both sides. Some applaud Brunson for calling out what they see as hypocrisy, while others defend Cohn's right to critique the media landscape. It's a reminder that the WNBA's growth has brought increased scrutiny, and with it, more passionate disagreements.
As the league continues to evolve, this clash between two respected voices underscores the tensions that can arise when new fans and old guard collide. For now, Brunson has made her stance clear, and Cohn has yet to respond directly to the challenge.
This isn't the only recent dustup involving WNBA media criticism. An ESPN analyst recently called out "fraudulent" WNBA fans, saying they don't truly care about the game, which adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about how the league is covered and consumed.
While the WNBA enjoys unprecedented attention, these disputes show that with greater visibility comes greater contention. Whether Cohn will address Brunson's pointed question remains to be seen, but the ball is now in her court.
