Jason Whitlock calls WNBA's Brittney Griner 'anti-American', theorizes on league's 'more feminine' marketing plan

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jason Whitlock offered a theory regarding the WNBA's (Women's National Basketball Association) alleged shift towards a more "feminine" image and how they pivot away from star player Brittney Griner.

In a recent discussion on Blaze TV, host Whitlock, who claimed Griner was an 'anti-American' before her detention in a Russian prison, said the league's evolving marketing strategy may be sidelining her, according to Daily Mail.

Jason Whitlock says WNBA is trying to be more 'likable'

Suggesting a deliberate shift in the WNBA's approach, Whitlock said, "The WNBA is starting to go more feminine and they’re trying to go more likable,” in his podcast 'Fearless with Jason Whitlock'.

Speaking to guest Shemeka Michelle, Whitlock reflected on the WNBA seeking a surge in ratings through the shift to femininity through players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and suggested Griner's ongoing effort to remain relevant stemmed from the league's new approach.

Referring to Griner, Whitlock said, “She was, in my view, very anti-American before sitting in a Russian prison for eight months and maybe that’s the conversion all these hard-core leftists need."

“But, I’m telling you, I don’t buy it, Shemeka. I think she’s trying to reposition herself. The WNBA is starting to go more feminine and they’re trying to go more likable," he asserted.

“I’ve even seen — a buddy of mine sent me pictures yesterday of some LA Sparks players at, I think an NBA game, and it looked like a beauty contest,” the columnist added.

Arguing that the WNBA may prioritize marketability over pure skill, he said, "I think they’re intentionally going, ‘we don’t want the best players, we want as many feminine-looking players,’ and it’s the right call, I’m telling you."

“Because none of the ladies play such an exciting game of basketball, beyond two or three of ’em, that getting someone who looks feminine is better for marketing and for selling tickets than getting someone who might play 10, 15 percent better… And so I see the WNBA pivoting away from Britney Griner," he added.

Brittney Griner says American national anthem 'definitely hit different' after serving time in Russian prison

Griner, who was detained and convicted of smuggling drugs into Russia, was released from prison after President Joe Biden orchestrated a prisoner exchange for the player with a notorious arms dealer.

The player who had previously shown disfavor toward the national anthem as part of the Black Lives Matter movement now reiterates her renewed spirit as an American citizen.

“Hearing the national anthem, it definitely hit different," she recently told ABC News ahead of the release of her book, 'Coming Home' which will detail her time in the Russian prison.

"It’s like when you go for the Olympics, you’re sitting there, about to get gold put on your neck, the flags are going up, and the anthem is playing, it just hits different," she added.

However, Whitlock opined Griner's "book and this interview tour is about trying to make Brittney Griner likable, because she’s been very unlikable.”

Internet weighs in on Jason Whitlock's theory on WNBA and criticism of Brittney Griner

Reacting to Whitlock's theory on WNBA's shift in the marketing strategy of being "more feminine" and suggesting Griner is trying to remain relevant, one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "Why don't they just play Basketball and let stars create themselves?"

One user wrote, "They would probably like the league to actually make some money," and another user tweeted, "Let’s give it a chance. I was highly critical of her before, but spending months in a Russian prison may have done the trick."

"She endured a traumatic experience and has a newfound appreciation for her country and what it stands for. She has competed at the highest level of women’s athletics on behalf of her country and emerged victorious. Let her be," a user opined.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.