Riley Gaines Sparks Controversy Over Brittney Griner — But What’s Really Going On in the WNBA?

In a new wave of controversy sweeping across the WNBA, conservative commentator and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has once again entered the public conversation—this time by taking aim at star center Brittney Griner. The debate erupted following a viral clip that appeared to show Griner mouthing inflammatory words after fouling out of a game against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever.

In the video, Griner is visibly frustrated as she leaves the court. Some online viewers claimed she said, “trash” followed by “fing white girl,” allegedly directed at Clark. Without verifying the full context, Gaines shared the clip on social media, writing: “Brittney Griner appeared to call Caitlin Clark ‘trash’ and a ‘fing white girl’ after fouling out last night.” She then added a political jab: “Just a reminder: this is who we traded for the Russian Merchant of Death,” referring to Griner’s 2022 release in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The post gained traction immediately, with many of Gaines’s followers expressing outrage. However, respected sports journalists quickly disputed the interpretation. Jemele Hill, among others, clarified that Griner was not speaking to or about Clark, but rather expressing frustration over the foul call itself. According to Hill and audio analysis shared later, Griner actually said, “trash… that’s a f***ing wack call,” while speaking to her teammate Natasha Howard—not referencing Clark at all.

Despite this clarification, Gaines doubled down. When she and conservative outlet OutKick later requested media access to cover two Atlanta Dream games, they claimed they were denied credentials. Gaines publicly accused the WNBA of suppressing dissenting voices, suggesting that league officials were protecting Griner from media scrutiny.

The WNBA, however, offered a different explanation, citing limited media space and prioritization for outlets with a track record of women’s sports coverage. Still, the denial only intensified Gaines’s criticism of the league.

This incident underscores deeper tensions brewing within the WNBA. Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the league’s most recognizable figures, has often been at the center of cultural and political debates—from her detainment in Russia to her vocal support for LGBTQ+ rights. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s arrival has brought a new wave of attention, fans, and controversy to the league—some of it racially and politically charged.

Riley Gaines, who built her post-swimming career as an outspoken opponent of trans inclusion in women’s sports, has increasingly inserted herself into these cultural flashpoints. Her criticism of Griner, amplified by misinformation, appears to reflect a larger agenda: reframing the narrative around women’s sports through an ideological lens.

Yet beyond the noise, facts remain: there is no solid evidence that Brittney Griner targeted Caitlin Clark with a racial slur. The viral clip was incomplete, misinterpreted, and corrected by reliable sources. What’s left is a debate that says more about today’s media dynamics—and political polarization—than it does about what truly happened on the court.