The WNBA is enjoying an all-time high in visibility, talent, and cultural relevance—but some voices around the league are turning headlines into headaches. And this week, Natalie Esquire, a WNBA commentator and outspoken media personality, may have just taken things too far—sparking a new wave of backlash and claims of blatant hypocrisy.

Angel Reese LOSES AGAIN! Unrivaled Team FALLS To Kate Martin as Reese FLOPS  Like Lebron! WNBA - YouTube

What happened? A now-viral moment that has left fans and critics alike asking the same question:
“Is this really about race—or is it just deflection from a weak argument?”

New media and social media: The impact on the WNBA's Black players |  Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 The “Argument” That Went Nowhere

It started with what was supposed to be a thoughtful debate about Caitlin Clark’s media attention and the WNBA’s future. But instead of a balanced discussion, the conversation quickly spiraled when Natalie Esquire turned the focus—not on strategy, stats, or on-court performance—but on race.

Jeff Teague is a whole clown for this": Angel Reese supporter Natalie  Esquire joins fellow analysts in lambasting after controversial podcast  remarks

“Let’s be real. If Caitlin Clark wasn’t white, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” Esquire said during a heated segment on social media.

The problem? Esquire was responding to… her own previous tweets—attempting to dismantle a point she herself introduced earlier, while doubling down on a narrative that lacked consistency.

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Fans were quick to notice. One X user posted:

“She’s literally arguing against herself and still losing. How is this real?”

 Playing the Race Card—or Dodging Accountability?

Critics argue that Natalie Esquire isn’t addressing legitimate concerns about player performance or media bias—but instead reaching for the race card as a shield.

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“This isn’t about race. It’s about numbers, marketability, and on-court results,” said one WNBA blogger. “When someone like Caitlin Clark generates record ratings, merchandise sales, and ticket demand—it’s not a conspiracy. It’s business.”

Others added that Esquire’s comments felt more like a personal agenda than professional insight.

“She’s making the story about herself,” wrote another user. “And the league deserves better.”

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 The Hypocrisy? Fans Say It’s Clear

While Natalie Esquire claims to advocate for equality and recognition across the board, critics are calling her out for selective outrage.

“You can’t demand more visibility for Black players one day, then attack the league for actually promoting a white player who’s earned it the next,” one former athlete posted. “That’s not activism—that’s hypocrisy.”

In fact, some WNBA players and commentators have even started distancing themselves from the drama, quietly encouraging the media to focus on the game instead of these personal feuds.

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 A League Growing… and Growing Tensions

This isn’t just a Natalie Esquire issue. It’s a reflection of the growing pains the WNBA is facing as it enters a new era of mainstream visibility. With stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and A’ja Wilson driving unprecedented interest, the spotlight is now intense—and not everyone’s handling it the same way.

Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese Party At Tao Nightclub After WNBA Draft. -  YouTube

But fans are making one thing clear:
They want coverage rooted in truth—not identity politics.

 The Bottom Line

Natalie Esquire’s self-conflicted commentary has lit up the internet, but not in the way she probably hoped. Instead of elevating the conversation, it’s become a case study in how media personalities can sometimes become their own worst enemy.

And as for the WNBA? The league’s future looks bright—as long as it can stay focused on the talent, the stories, and the sport… not the sideshows