The WNBA is facing a critical moment, and the way we talk about it could make or break its future. With the league and its players at a standstill over a new collective bargaining agreement, the threat of a lockout or strike looms large, potentially derailing the hard-earned momentum of recent seasons. But here’s where it gets complicated: while the WNBA navigates this crisis, alternative leagues like Unrivaled and Project B are stepping into the spotlight. Founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled has just kicked off its second season in Miami, airing on TNT and expanding to Philadelphia later this month. Some see these leagues as viable alternatives for WNBA players, but is this really the solution, or just a distraction from the deeper issues at hand?
Online commentator Rachel DeMita, known for her candid takes, believes the media’s coverage of women’s basketball is part of the problem. In a recent YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhMpGOP7v1c), she argues that the overly positive, uncritical commentary creates a false narrative that doesn’t serve fans or players. ‘If the WNBA doesn’t have a season, people aren’t going to flock to Unrivaled or Project B,’ DeMita warns. ‘We need to start living in reality and report honestly on women’s basketball.’
DeMita takes aim at what she calls the ‘glazing’ of women’s basketball—the tendency to gloss over challenges and overstate successes. She points to Unrivaled as a prime example. ‘It was created to keep players from going overseas in the offseason, not to become a ratings juggernaut,’ she explains, questioning Collier’s claim that the league is ‘sustainable.’ With minimal marketing buzz and a 16 percent drop in viewership for its 2026 season opener (from 208,000 to 175,000 viewers, according to The Athletic), DeMita argues that Unrivaled’s success is far from guaranteed. And this is the part most people miss: the three-on-three format, while innovative, may not have the broad appeal of traditional, high-level basketball.
But DeMita’s critique goes beyond Unrivaled. She advocates for a more balanced approach to covering women’s basketball, one that acknowledges the struggles players face rather than defaulting to praise. ‘We can’t just keep saying, ‘They’re great, they’re great, they’re great,’ she says. ‘Honest reporting serves everyone better in the long run.’ She highlights outlets like The Athletic and ESPN for their thorough coverage of the WNBA’s labor dispute and praises analysts like Candace Parker for their candid player evaluations. Yet, she notes that the economics of covering the still-growing league often lead to commentary that’s more fan-driven than critical.
And this is where it gets controversial: With some analysts claiming the WNBA is in genuine peril, DeMita challenges the entire media landscape to step up. Is the league truly at risk, or are we sugarcoating the truth? She doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions, inviting fans and commentators alike to engage in a more nuanced conversation. What do you think? Is honest criticism the key to the WNBA’s survival, or does it risk undermining the league’s progress? Let’s debate this in the comments—because the future of women’s basketball depends on how we talk about it today.
