WNBA reporter Roberta Rodrigues announces temporary break from coverage citing harassment
Forbes WNBA contributor Roberta F. Rodrigues announced a temporary break from women's basketball coverage on August 27, citing harassment and a hostile environment. She previously reported that Indiana Fever fans had obtained her phone number and contacted her with harassing calls and texts.
Roberta F. Rodrigues, a Forbes contributor covering the WNBA, announced on August 27 that she would take a temporary break from women's basketball coverage, per Awful Announcing. Rodrigues cited harassment and the current hostile environment in league coverage as reasons for stepping back.
In a social media post reported by Awful Announcing, Rodrigues stated: "I'm not defeated. I'm just tired. Tired from the harassment, the gaslight and the countless attempts to discredit me and my work simply because I am not afraid to name the problems." She added: "Seeing the current state of the WNBA, the agents that have been allowed to infiltrate what has been a safe space for the sake of 'growing the game,' the chokehold the league, teams, players and media are in because of a specific fan base, has completely taken away the joy of the game for me."
Rodrigues intended to resume regular coverage after the World Cup break, which the WNBA will observe from August 31 through September 17 while international players compete in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, per Awful Announcing.
On August 25, Rodrigues reported that Indiana Fever fans had obtained her personal phone number and contacted her with harassing calls and texts, according to Awful Announcing. She stated: "I know it's Indiana Fever fans because the content is very specific to what they like to harass me with on social media."
This announcement follows earlier reports of harassment directed at other WNBA reporters. Dallas Wings coach Jose Fernandez publicly supported reporter Grant Afseth, who had shared threatening messages he received in response to coverage of the team. Afseth indicated he would not be covering the Wings in person for the time being, per Awful Announcing.
The harassment targeting Rodrigues occurred amid broader upheaval at Fever games. After guard Sophie Cunningham was quoted expressing opposition to transgender athletes competing in high school athletics, protests for and against her comments began taking place at games, per Awful Announcing. Fox News has covered the controversy, and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom attended games, according to Awful Announcing.
A prominent WNBA reporter is stepping back from beat coverage due to targeted harassment, following earlier reports of threatening contact tied to coverage of controversial statements by a league player.
Rodrigues plans to return after the World Cup break, but the incident underscores a pattern of targeted harassment against journalists covering the WNBA. Watch whether the league or teams issue statements addressing fan conduct standards or whether other reporters face similar pressures during the contentious break.
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