The winds of change are sweeping through the WNBA, and for some of the league’s most controversial voices, the forecast is stormy. In a move that’s sending shockwaves across women’s basketball, broadcasters Cindy Brunson and Cheryl Swoops—both notorious for their public criticism of rookie phenom Caitlin Clark—have been quietly, but decisively, shown the door. Is this a coincidence, or is the WNBA finally cleaning house and protecting its brightest star?

The message from league offices and team front offices seems unmistakable: the era of tearing down women’s basketball’s biggest draw is over. And for anyone who’s been paying attention, the pattern is as clear as day.

Another One Bites the Dust

First, it was WNBA legend Cheryl Swoops. Now, it’s Cindy Brunson, a longtime Phoenix Mercury broadcaster and, more recently, one of Clark’s most vocal critics. Brunson’s removal isn’t just from Indiana Fever games—she’s been wiped from the entire Mercury broadcast lineup for 2025. No announcement. No fanfare. Just gone.

It’s a move that’s left fans buzzing. Is the WNBA systematically removing those who spent last season attacking Caitlin Clark? The evidence is mounting. The Mercury’s decision comes hot on the heels of Swoops’ own ousting from the Dallas Wings’ broadcast team and her sudden disappearance from the league-sponsored “Queens of the Court” podcast.

For those keeping score, that’s two of Clark’s highest-profile critics erased from the WNBA’s media landscape in a matter of weeks.

Who Is Cindy Brunson—and Why Did She Get the Axe?

Cindy Brunson may not be a household name, but in WNBA circles, she’s been a familiar voice for years. Her commentary, however, took a sharp turn when Caitlin Clark burst onto the scene. Instead of celebrating Clark’s record-shattering college career and her impact on WNBA viewership, Brunson made a habit of downplaying Clark’s achievements, often comparing them unfavorably to those of her friend, Cheryl Swoops.

It didn’t stop there. Brunson pushed narratives about Fever star Kelsey Mitchell allegedly wanting out of Indiana—claims that ran directly counter to Mitchell’s own public statements and actions. She even took aim at Clark’s fanbase, dismissing the influx of new viewers as unwelcome outsiders rather than a long-overdue boost for women’s basketball.

Perhaps most telling was Brunson’s willingness to mock not just Clark, but those in her orbit. Her comments about Monica Czinano, Clark’s former Iowa teammate, crossed a line from analysis to personal insult—further evidence, critics say, that Brunson’s agenda was less about basketball and more about undermining a rising star.

The Mercury’s Silent Statement

When a broadcaster becomes the story, it’s rarely good news for a franchise—especially one fighting for relevance in a crowded sports market. The Phoenix Mercury’s response was surgical. Rather than reassigning Brunson or issuing a public reprimand, they simply erased her from their 2025 plans. No press release. No apology. Just a quiet, unmistakable message: this is a new era.

The timing is telling. The Mercury waited until after the 2024 season concluded, suggesting a calculated, business-first approach rather than a knee-jerk reaction to social media outrage. And make no mistake—fans played a role. Social channels were flooded with calls for Brunson’s removal, citing her “toxic” commentary and her apparent vendetta against Clark.

A Leaguewide Shift?

Brunson’s exit isn’t an isolated incident. The Dallas Wings made a similarly quiet move, dropping Cheryl Swoops from their broadcast team and, soon after, Swoops vanished from league-sponsored media. The “Queens of the Court” podcast, once co-hosted by Swoops, now features new cover art and a conspicuous lack of her name.

Is this a coincidence? Not likely. The WNBA has invested heavily in Clark, whose arrival sparked record-breaking viewership, merchandise sales, and a surge of new fans. Allowing broadcasters to undermine her legitimacy isn’t just bad optics—it’s bad business.

And the league knows it. Sources say the WNBA is taking a more active role in shaping public perception, insisting on professionalism and fairness from those given a platform. Criticism is still welcome—but vendettas and personal attacks are not.

A Warning to the Rest

The message couldn’t be clearer: the WNBA is done tolerating commentary that tears down its stars. Fair analysis? Absolutely. But targeted campaigns to diminish the league’s biggest attractions? Not on this watch.

The Mercury and Wings’ decisive actions are a shot across the bow for any broadcaster tempted to turn personal gripes into public narratives. And as the WNBA continues to grow, expect this new standard to stick. The days of “hate for hire” are over.

The Bottom Line

For years, women’s basketball has begged for the spotlight. Now, with Caitlin Clark leading a new wave of superstars and fans, the WNBA is finally protecting its investment. Out with the old, in with the new—both on the court and behind the microphone.