Elle Duncan isn't backing down. After hosting the WNBA Finals trophy presentation for the first time on Saturday night, the former ESPN host faced a wave of criticism over some colorful language that slipped out during the ceremony. But Duncan, now with Netflix and other platforms, took to social media to make one thing crystal clear: she's not apologizing.
The Golden State Valkyries clinched their historic championship with a Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Dream, and Duncan was on hand for USA Sports to lead the celebration. She brought her trademark energy and deep knowledge of the game, congratulating Finals MVP Gabby Williams with a nod to her nickname.
“Gabby, your nickname is Spooky G, and what you did tonight was downright scary. Gabby, if you didn’t know, scored more points than anybody in a half in W postseason history,” Duncan said on stage. She then playfully referenced Williams' pre-game quote from Too Short's “What's My Favorite Word?” suggesting the new favorite word could be “chip,” as in championship.
The response to Duncan's hosting was largely positive, with Awful Announcing praising her approach. “The longer the presentation went on, the deeper Duncan’s knowledge base proved to be. Yes, it’s a broadcaster’s job to be informed, but only the best broadcasters understand that the most important part of the job is communicating that information in a way that generates viewer investment,” they wrote. “It would have been easy to ask generic, uncurious questions about what it feels like to be a champion, but Duncan cared enough to ask specific questions and turn a trophy presentation into a storytelling platform. She made it feel conversational without compromising an ounce of professionalism.”
Despite the accolades, some viewers took issue with the swearing that occurred during the live broadcast. Duncan responded directly on X, framing the moment through the eyes of her children. “For the folks still focused on the swearing @ the WNBA trophy presentation. My 5 and 8 yr old watched too and all they focused on was the storytelling. They peppered me all day w/ questions about the players which led to a chat about perseverance and hard work. That was my goal going in- to pique further curiosity into these women’s journey- and atleast in my home…it did,” she wrote.
Her defense resonated with many, including Robyn Millstein of the Phoenix Mercury, who called Duncan's performance “an absolute masterclass in the WNBA Finals postgame ceremony. The poise. The presence. The command of the stage.”
The moment also highlighted the emotional weight of the Finals, with Angel Reese's family's heartbreak captured on camera after the loss. Duncan's approach, focusing on the players' journeys, seemed to strike a chord that went beyond the trophy itself.
For Duncan, the goal was never to avoid controversy but to elevate the stories of the athletes. As she put it, the real win was sparking curiosity in her daughters about the women who just made history. And in that, she succeeded.
