Chiney Ogwumike claiming that A’ja Wilson is ‘greater’ than Tom Brady exposes ESPN’s WNBA credibility problem
ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike made headlines this week when he belittled Alyssa Thomas for punching Caitlin Clark in the throat on the basketball court. He claimed that Clark was “embellishing” the contact, while Thomas was just “playing rough.”
Ogwumike later suggested that the blow could only be seen in slow motion, as if the speed of replay somehow altered reality.
“When narratives are created based on a freeze frame, that can create a huge problem. The league was reacting to the optics of that image,” Ogwumike said.
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It looks like this episode might not have been Ogwumike’s most embarrassing performance of the week. She hosted a segment on ESPN asking whether WNBA star A’ja Wilson’s greatness surpasses Tom Brady’s.
“Safe Zone: Is A’ja Wilson’s greatness more impressive than Tom Brady’s?” Chiron asked.
Ogwumike didn’t hesitate.
“It’s boring when Tom wins,” he said. “That doesn’t apply to A’ja. A’ja is more interesting than Tom. A’ja is that girl.”
April 3, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; ESPN game day analyst Chiney Ogwumike at Amalie Arena. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
He argued that the “dynamic nature of basketball” gave Wilson the edge over Brady, adding that Wilson “can come off the court like he’s at Fashion Week.”
Look, we understand it’s July, but come on. Is he bigger than Tom Brady?
It is quite intriguing that ESPN devoted air time to this discussion.
A’ja Wilson is an outstanding basketball player. We also agree. She is the best female player in the world (though not the face of the WNBA). Many analysts believe that he has chance To be the best player in league history.
operative word chance.
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Tom Brady already occupies the pinnacle of his sport. Won seven Super Bowls; that was more than any other NFL franchise. His dominance in professional football lasted more than two decades.
Brady has reached such a rare level of excellence that the list of American athletes with similar legacies is scarce. The list includes names such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Muhammad Ali.
By contrast, Wilson still ranks behind Diana Taurasi, Sheryl Swoopes and Tamika Catchings in most all-time WNBA rankings. At least for now.
There are also 32 teams in the NFL. There are 15 active WNBA teams. Comparing Wilson’s championship wins, as he’s still four points behind Brady, isn’t much of an exercise.
(Left) Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 17, 2025. (Right) Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) is fouled by Las Vegas Aces guard Alysha Clark (7) in the second quarter at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in May. 25, 2024. Aces beat Fever 99-80. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images; Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Oddly enough, Ogwumike appealed to Brady to praise Wilson. Instead, it invited a comparison Wilson could never win.
That’s precisely why the segment is seen as pandering, a criticism that has increasingly defined Ogwumike’s media career.
After a promising start as one of ESPN’s true rising stars, Ogwumike became increasingly preachy and uninformed. Their coverage of Caitlin Clark is particularly difficult to defend.
Last year, she called on the WNBA to investigate a Clark fan for allegedly making “monkey noises” at Angel Reese. No evidence could confirm the accusation. Ogwumike later released an apology video, and OutKick was told that due to the reckless nature of his words, ESPN encouraged him to tape him.
Now, just days after defending a player who put his fist into Clark’s neck, Ogwumike tells ESPN viewers that A’ja Wilson’s greatness surpasses Tom Brady’s because Brady is “boring” when Wilson is wearing trendy clothes.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is seen after falling in the lane while Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was tracking the ball on June 24, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Grace Smith/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
If the strongest case a commentator can make to elevate a current WNBA player above the greatest quarterback in NFL history is based on personality and dressing style, perhaps it’s time to try someone else on the set.
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Ogwumike’s comments have eroded the credibility of ESPN’s WNBA coverage in what appears to be a deliberate effort to belittle not only Caitlin Clark, but now apparently even Tom Brady.
ESPN should demand more from its analysts.
