Riley Gaines Accuses WNBA of Hiding Truth About Brittney Griner

Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer and now a prominent conservative commentator, has recently reignited controversy in the world of women’s basketball by accusing the WNBA of covering up inappropriate behavior by star player Brittney Griner. Gaines’s claims, based largely on a viral video and a series of denied media credentials, have fueled a larger debate about race, politics, and media access in professional sports.

The controversy began during a May 2025 game between the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever. Following a tense moment on the court, footage surfaced of Griner walking away after fouling out. In the video, Griner appears to mouth something under her breath—some viewers, including Gaines, interpreted the comment as “trash, f***ing white girl,” allegedly aimed at rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. Gaines immediately shared the clip on social media, accusing the WNBA of ignoring what she called a racially charged slur. “This is who we traded for the Russian Merchant of Death,” she wrote, referring to Griner’s high-profile prisoner swap in 2022. “Now imagine if Clark had said the inverse.”

However, not everyone sees it the same way. Several sports analysts, including ESPN’s Jemele Hill, suggested that Griner was likely saying something entirely different—such as “f***ing wack call”—out of frustration with the referees. With no clear audio and only lip-reading to rely on, the actual words remain unclear. Still, Gaines insists that the league is intentionally avoiding the issue to protect Griner and maintain a controlled narrative.

Adding fuel to the fire, Gaines claimed that her outlet, OutKick, was denied media credentials for two WNBA games in early June, shortly after the video went viral. She argues that the league blocked their access because they were the only media outlet asking tough questions. The WNBA, however, cited limited space and a need to prioritize established media partners.

Critics of Gaines point out that OutKick has a history of antagonistic coverage toward the WNBA, particularly its Black and LGBTQ+ players. They argue that the league’s decision to deny credentials may have more to do with professional conduct than censorship. Still, Gaines has framed the move as an attempt to silence her and control the public narrative around Griner.

So far, Brittney Griner has not responded publicly to the claims, and the WNBA has declined to comment in detail. The incident has become yet another flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars surrounding women’s sports, where every on-court moment is scrutinized through a political lens.

While the truth behind Griner’s comment remains unclear, the fallout reveals a deeper tension between rising conservative media voices and leagues navigating the intersection of sports, identity, and public perception. Whether this is genuine concern for fairness or calculated outrage, one thing is certain: the spotlight on the WNBA has never been brighter.