The WNBA just can’t get out of it’s own way, and in the latest – and possibly greatest – example of that, they had to scramble to delete a video which showed some of their star players betting money on the outcome of a game.
I’m not sure a professional sports league has ever outed themselves like the WNBA did with this gambling scandal. Sure, the NBA and NFL has had a couple of betting issues pop up over the years (especially with emergence of online sportsbooks). But they’ve never put out content themselves that gets them in trouble like the Women’s National Basketball Association.
The league’s social team filmed themselves walking up to Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers and asking her about a bet that her and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese made. You can tell that Bueckers was a bit caught off guard by the question, asking “We did?” Sure enough, the social team had video proof that her and Reese had wagered $400 on the game that took place earlier this week.
They edited everything together, and then sent it out on the W’s official social media account… apparently not knowing that they were effectively sharing video evidence of two of the league’s biggest stars breaking the rules laid out in the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement:
“Paige Bueckers on the bet she made with Angel Reese at All-Star Weekend on tonight’s matchup.”
Nothing like sending out a video promoting gambling amongst players when the league’s rules explicitly forbid just that.
It’s Section 5(c) in the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that clearly states players should not bet on – directly or indirectly – the games they are participating in:
“Any player found by the Commissioner after a hearing to have been guilty of wagering (directly or indirectly), or of offering or attempting to wager, money or anything of value on the outcome, score, or any other aspect of any WNBA Competition shall, in the sole discretion of the Commissioner, be subject to a fine, suspension, and/or dismissal and disqualification from any further association with the WNBA.”
Looks like the WNBA’s social team could benefit from brushing up on the rulebook.
Once the league apparently realized what they had posted was a very bad look, they took the video down. But as the old saying goes… the internet is forever. Accounts like “BrickCenter” screen recorded the video and have shared it online, and fans and casuals have had a ball poking fun at the WNBA’s gambling gaffe.
And it’s the latest in a series of mishaps and blunders for the WNBA. Just in the past couple of months, Caitlin Clark was voted the 11th best guard in the league by her peers, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert dodged an interview with The Dan Patrick Show, and the Seattle Storm co-owner was suspended and fined for screaming at Sophie Cunningham fans.
All that to say… it’s a mess over at the WNBA, and sports fans can’t help but wonder if there needs to be a leadership change.
