Former WNBA broadcaster Michele Tafoya stated that the league has transformed from a celebration of women's basketball into a platform for activism. Tafoya, who covered the WNBA during its early seasons, shared her views on "Don't @ Me" with Dan Dakich, expressing a loss of faith in the league's current direction.
"This league has now somehow morphed into something that feels like activism on display," Tafoya said. She pointed to a recent protest outside a Minnesota Lynx game, where she alleged pro-trans activists used bullhorns and sirens to disrupt speakers advocating for female-only sports categories.
Tafoya specifically praised Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, calling her a "hero" for her stance on women's sports. "God bless Sophie Cunningham and you know it as well, if not better than I do. She's got a spine. And she is a hero of mine," Tafoya stated. Cunningham has been noted for her outspoken defense of women's sports.
The former broadcaster also cited Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve wearing a "Trans Kids Belong" T-shirt on the bench as an example of the league's focus on activism. Tafoya believes this indicates a league more interested in pushing social agendas than promoting basketball.
Tafoya emphasized that her perspective on protecting women's sports is not about hate but about fairness and preserving established categories. She suggested that the WNBA's increased emphasis on activism distracts from the game itself.
Tafoya also commented on the difficulty for players to speak out due to current locker room culture. She expressed a desire to separate discussions about children from the broader ideology, stating, "this has nothing to do with kids, and I'd love to leave kids out of this entire ideology altogether."