Stephen A. Smith Sparks Controversy, Says Brittney Griner Should Be Banned from the WNBA

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith has stirred up significant controversy after publicly stating that WNBA star Brittney Griner should be permanently banned from the league. His comments, made during an appearance on the Valuetainment podcast in late July 2025, have since sparked debate across sports media, fan communities, and social platforms.

According to Smith, the WNBA is “hiding the truth” about Griner, alleging that she may possess an unfair physical advantage over her peers. He referenced widespread rumors—unfounded and unverified—that question Griner’s gender identity, claiming this might be part of a broader effort to protect her image and maintain league integrity. Smith argued that if these rumors were proven true, it would undermine the fairness of competition in women’s basketball and require immediate disciplinary action, including a permanent ban from the league.

He did not present any concrete evidence to support these claims but insisted the league has not been transparent about Griner’s background. “If the WNBA is protecting her and there’s something they’re not telling us, then that’s a major problem,” Smith stated. “Fans and other players deserve honesty.”

This isn’t the first time Smith has been critical of Griner. Earlier in 2025, he publicly questioned her demeanor and gratitude following her return to the U.S. after being detained in Russia for nearly 10 months. “You’d think after what she went through, there’d be some humility or appreciation,” he said on his show. “But instead, it’s as if the whole world owes her something.”

Despite Smith’s accusations, there is no verified information suggesting that Brittney Griner has ever violated WNBA eligibility rules or that the league has withheld critical information about her. Griner, a six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been a consistent and dominant presence in professional women’s basketball since being drafted first overall in 2013.

Critics have condemned Smith’s comments as inflammatory, baseless, and rooted in misinformation. Notably, a recent incident in which Smith reacted to a fake Instagram post about Griner raised questions about his reliability on the subject. Many analysts and fans argue that his statements cross the line from sports commentary into personal attacks, particularly when grounded in speculation rather than facts.

Furthermore, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and sports journalists have called out the gender-based nature of Smith’s accusations, warning that such narratives perpetuate harmful stereotypes against women athletes—particularly tall, strong, or masculine-presenting players. They argue that Griner, as an openly gay Black woman, has long been unfairly scrutinized and targeted by both media and the public.

As of now, Brittney Griner and the WNBA have not officially responded to Smith’s recent remarks. However, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing women’s sports in the media spotlight, especially when it comes to fairness, representation, and misinformation.

Whether Smith’s comments lead to further investigation or are simply remembered as another hot take remains to be seen. What is clear is that the line between commentary and controversy continues to blur in modern sports media.