A podcast distributed by The Athletic, owned by The New York Times Company, has faced backlash for remarks made by hosts Charlotte Wilder and Madeline Hill regarding female athletes who speak out in defense of women's sports.
The "Sports Gossip Show" segment, titled "Sophie Cunningham’s right-wing grift," targeted WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and swimmer Riley Gaines, questioning their athletic credentials and suggesting their advocacy was politically motivated.
One host described Cunningham, an eight-year WNBA veteran, as "not the best player" and accused her of engaging in a "right-wing grift" for defending women's sports. The hosts also speculated about her post-basketball career plans, suggesting she was aligning with conservative politics. Cunningham's player-exclusive Adidas shoe reportedly sold out quickly after she doubled down on her stance, a detail highlighted by the podcast hosts as evidence of a calculated move.
Riley Gaines, a 12-time All-American swimmer, was also mentioned, with one host calling her "not even a very good one." The podcast segment suggested that female athletes' accomplishments are only valued if their political views align with the hosts'.
Critics of the podcast pointed to Gaines' extensive collegiate swimming record, which includes multiple All-America honors, conference championships, and SEC records, as evidence that her athletic achievements are significant. Similarly, they noted Cunningham's consistent eight-season WNBA career and her efficiency as a shooter as substantial accomplishments.
The podcast hosts also extended their criticism to teenage girls who have shown support for women's sports. They questioned the critical thinking skills of young girls holding signs at games, with one host describing supportive merchandise as "anti-trans." The report notes that some of these girls have firsthand experience with the issue, such as losing competitions to biological male athletes.
Ahnaleigh Wilson, a high school runner, was mentioned as an example. She stated that her position against transgender participation in women's sports stemmed from her own experience losing a race to a biological male athlete. NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher also shared her experience of competing against a team with a biological male pitcher.
OutKick, the outlet reporting on the podcast, reached out to the hosts and The Athletic for comment regarding their claims and the standards for content distributed on the podcast network. No responses were provided by the publication deadline. The report also contacted The New York Times Company for comment.
The controversy highlights a broader debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports and the reception of athletes who publicly voice their opinions on the matter.