FOX play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson is facing a ton of backlash just before the NCAA Tournament begins.
On Thursday night, Johnson was hosting a Big East men’s tournament game between UConn and Xavier. At the end of the second half, Johnson praised the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams.
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Although no one embarrassed Johnson, he suggested that the UConn women’s basketball team would win it all if they were in the bracket. WNBA.
“You would never think that with the Dukes and the North Carolinas, those kinds of teams, the University of Connecticut is literally the birthplace of champions for both men and women,” Johnson said. “Women, it’s not even fair. It’s just not fair! They should put this women’s team in the WNBA. I bet you they’d make the playoffs. They might even win them!”
March 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, United States; Fox Sports analyst Jim Jackson (left) and play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson during a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Southern California Trojans at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
This remark from Johnson did not sit well with WNBA fans. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the charismatic broadcaster on social media.
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“This is incredibly disrespectful,” one fan said. “They wouldn’t stand a chance against grown women. Be serious.”
“Stop it…with the disrespect towards women in the WNBA,” a second fan wrote.
“They would be strangled every night, the physicality in the WNBA would break them mentally and physically,” one social media user said.
“Lol, they would lose by 50+ every game,” another fan commented.
UConn’s dominance cannot be ignored.
The UConn women’s basketball team is currently the overwhelming favorite (-290) to win the NCAA tournament this year. That being said, we can’t see the Huskies beating WNBA teams. The pros just play more physical basketball.
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While we strongly disagree with Johnson’s assertion about UConn, we refuse to ignore how dominant Geno Auriemma’s program has been.
Some of the best players in the WNBA, such as Napheesa Collier and Brenna Stewart, became household names thanks to their success at UConn. Of course, we can’t forget legends like Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.
This story was originally published by The yarn on March 14, 2026, where he first appeared in the College basketball section. Add The Spun as Favorite source by clicking here.
