Ric Bucher isn’t holding back. The former ESPN NBA analyst says WNBA broadcasts need more diversity.
What We Know: Bucher spent years as an NBA analyst at ESPN before joining Fox Sports as an NBA insider. In addition, he now hosts the podcast On The Ball with Ric Bucher. National WNBA broadcasts currently lean heavily on female color analysts and studio hosts. Following the outcry from a foul committed by DiJonai Carrington on Sophie Cunningham, Bucher felt the coverage was protective and not as analytical as it could have been. He shared his thoughts on why the WNBA needs more diversity with men willing to tackle difficult topics of discussion unlike what he witnessed recently.
What They Said: (All quotes via On The Ball with Ric Bucher):
Ric Bucher questioned why the WNBA isn’t more inclusive to males on broadcasts: “Why are all the color analysts and studio hosts women? Women have served in a variety of positions on national NBA broadcasts. Why shouldn’t there be diversity on national WNBA broadcasts? What are the networks afraid of? The only males you will find on a national broadcast now are young up-and-comers doing play-by-play. Is the WNBA not worthy of being discussed and dissected by a variety of voices and perspectives in the same way the NBA is?”
Ric Bucher believes the studio hosts and analysts play it too safe: “It all comes off as safe and monotone and cookie cutter. Especially when it comes to controversial topics. DiJonai [Carrington] took Sophie Cunningham’s head off, and the broadcasters were debating whether it would be elevated to a flagrant two. They sounded afraid to say it, even after multiple replays showed DiJonai made no attempt to make a play on the ball. The studio analysts were no better.”
Ric Bucher believes the WNBA is too protected: “All of it feels like a girls’ club. The media protecting the league from real scrutiny or critique. I’ll ask again: What are they afraid of? Players can’t take it. The critiquing a woman in public is no way to treat one?”
What Remains Unclear: It’s unclear whether any network will respond to Bucher’s critique. Moreover, no current network carrying the WNBA has a male studio analyst. Several have male play by play voices or analysts on broadcast.
What It Means: Bucher’s comments reignite debate over how networks staff and produce WNBA coverage. Then again, with rising television ratings and revenue metrics, the formula for these networks is working. Still, any change depends on network decisions, not commentary alone. For now, the conversation about broadcast representation and coverage tone continues.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.