The controversy surrounding Charleston White’s recent remarks about the WNBA, particularly his comments about players like Angel Reese and Britney Griner, has set the internet ablaze. White, a comedian known for his unfiltered and sometimes controversial style, went on Jeff Teague’s podcast and delivered a series of remarks that many deemed offensive, while others argued he was simply exercising his right to joke.
White, who has built a reputation for pushing boundaries, didn’t hold back during the interview. When discussing Griner’s arrest in Russia, White made a series of remarks that many found distasteful. His comments about the WNBA, however, were even more pointed. White criticized the league, suggesting that the WNBA was not deserving of the sponsorships it had been getting, likening the league to the historical Negro Leagues in baseball. He even mocked the athletic abilities of the women in the league, claiming they couldn’t even dunk the ball or make impressive plays from the free-throw line. For him, it seemed like the WNBA was a joke rather than a legitimate professional league. He further went after players like Angel Reese, insinuating that she was more interested in exploiting her image than actually playing basketball.
Charleston White’s most notable comments were about Reese herself. He bluntly suggested that Reese, instead of focusing on basketball, should consider making an OnlyFans account, suggesting that she would rather sell her body than continue to play the sport. These remarks shocked many, particularly Reese’s fans, who immediately took to social media to defend her. Many called White’s comments sexist and disrespectful, with some even arguing that he had crossed a line that should not be crossed, especially when talking about a professional athlete. The outrage was swift, and the internet quickly became a battleground for opinions about whether White’s words were simply jokes or a form of harmful commentary.
However, the controversy wasn’t just limited to White’s comments. The WNBA community, including players, fans, and even podcast hosts, was caught in the crossfire. Some defended White’s right to make jokes, citing his role as a comedian and his style of humor. They drew comparisons to other comedians like Dave Chappelle, known for his fearless, often controversial takes on sensitive issues. In this light, White was seen as a provocateur pushing boundaries, something many comedians are known to do. But while some found his humor funny or edgy, others were deeply offended by what they viewed as an attack on the league and its athletes.
The comments about Reese were particularly controversial. Reese, a rising star in women’s basketball, had previously spoken about the challenges of being sexualized as an athlete. She had emphasized that she wanted to be recognized for her skills on the court, not her appearance. However, some critics pointed to Reese’s past photo shoots in revealing outfits and argued that she was sending mixed signals. White’s remarks about her allegedly wanting to sell her body only added fuel to the fire, and Reese’s supporters were quick to defend her. Some even suggested she should sue White for defamation, a notion that sparked debate about whether comedians should be held accountable for their comments in the same way public figures are.
As the controversy continued to unfold, WNBA players like Sydney Coulson entered the conversation. Coulson took to social media to express her displeasure with White’s appearance on the podcast, calling it disrespectful. However, her own past comments were soon unearthed, revealing that she had made disparaging remarks about other players. In one tweet from 2023, Coulson had referred to another female basketball player as looking like a man. This revelation led many to accuse her of hypocrisy, as she had previously criticized White’s comments while making similar ones herself. It was as if Coulson’s attempt to defend Reese had backfired, with critics now questioning her motives.
The situation raised questions about how female athletes should present themselves, particularly in a world where the lines between personal expression, social media, and professional identity are often blurred. On one side of the debate, people argue that athletes like Reese should have the freedom to express themselves however they see fit, whether through their athletic abilities or their personal branding. On the other side, critics like White argue that athletes can’t have it both ways—they can’t seek to be taken seriously as athletes while simultaneously using their image for attention. This complex dynamic reflects a larger societal issue: the objectification and sexualization of women in sports.
As this drama unfolded, podcast host Jeff Teague found himself caught in the middle. He quickly came to Reese’s defense, attempting to distance himself from White’s remarks. In an effort to smooth things over, Teague described Reese as a “little sister” and assured fans that they had a great relationship with her. However, this didn’t fully resolve the controversy, as many still questioned why Teague had allowed White’s comments to go unchallenged on the podcast. The incident sparked a debate about the role of podcast hosts in moderating conversations, especially when controversial figures like White are involved.
While all of this chaos was unfolding, one thing became clear: the WNBA was receiving more attention than ever before. Whether it was positive or negative, people were talking about the league, something that hadn’t been happening regularly before. The viral nature of White’s remarks, particularly on social media, brought the WNBA into the spotlight in a way that hadn’t been seen in years. But the question remained: was this kind of attention beneficial for the league? Would the WNBA benefit from this newfound visibility, or would it only serve to further damage its reputation?
In the end, the controversy surrounding Charleston White’s comments about Angel Reese and the WNBA was much more than a debate about comedy or disrespect—it was a reflection of how society views female athletes, their roles, and their image. The lines between humor, criticism, and respect are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, and this incident highlighted just how complicated the issue has become. As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: the WNBA is now at the center of a much larger conversation about women’s sports, image, and identity. How this will impact the league moving forward remains to be seen.
