"She's a grifter with no credibility": Fans slam reporter for suggesting DeWanna Bonner fled Fever due to Caitlin Clark's 'white hot' spotlight

One of the biggest WNBA headlines this week was DeWanna Bonner's departure from the Indiana Fever. Many words have been said about her exit, but one reporter has drawn the ire of fans with her take related to Caitlin Clark.

Appearing Friday on an LA-based ESPN radio show, Christine Brennan of USA Today said that the attention drawn by Clark played a role in Bonner's parting ways with the Fever.

"In talking to a source or two, it appears that Bonner was unable to, in some way, shape, or form, just deal with that spotlight, which is white hot," Brennan said. "(Bonner) couldn't handle it, or didn't want it or was getting to her."

The quotes from Brennan made the rounds on Reddit, where fans posted their reactions.

"Christine Brennan is not a legitimate source of WNBA news, she is a grifter with no credibility in the sport," one fan said.

One fan calls Christine Brennan a "grifter." Credit: WNBA Reddit

"She sees every other player in the league as a supporting character in The Caitlin Story, instead of as an actual human being with agency and their own story to tell. It’s gross," another fan commented.

Another Redditor speaks out about Christine Brennan's supposed perception of other WNBA players. Credit: WNBA Reddit

"Come on," another fan responded.

"Bulls**t," another fan reacted.

"Was Brennan’s journalistic style always like this? It seems like once all the Clark/Reese stuff started I noticed she was in the thick of it trying to garner clout," another fan observed.

"I can see why CC doesn’t want to associate with this lady! She speaks bs everytime she opens her mouth," another fan posted.

More Reddit users criticize Christine Brennan. Credit: WNBA Reddit

Some fans called attention to the fact that Brennan has written a biography on Clark without conducting a single sit-down interview with the Fever star. The biography, which is entitled “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women’s Sports,” is set to hit stores in July.

Even before her book comes out, Brennan has already drawn a strong reaction from fans online because of how she has related the Clark phenomenon to Bonner's exit from the Fever.

"The crowd kind of shocked me a little bit": Reporter quotes DeWanna Bonner on reaction to first Fever home game

On the same day that DeWanna Bonner was waived by the Fever, Christine Brennan tweeted a quote that the WNBA veteran said early in the season.

"A thought: After her first home game w/the Fever May 17, DeWanna Bonner, 37, said: 'The crowd kind of shocked me a little bit. This is my first time playing in this kind of environment.' It’s true. The interest in Caitlin Clark’s team is like that of a men’s major-league team," Brennan posted on X.

Christine Brennan

@cbrennansports

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A thought: After her first home game w/the Fever May 17, DeWanna Bonner, 37, said: "The crowd kind of shocked me a little bit. This is my first time playing in this kind of environment." It’s true. The interest in Caitlin Clark’s team is like that of a men’s major-league team.

The tweet from Brennan only amplified the buzz surrounding Bonner's short-lived stint in Indiana.