Cassandra (Cassie) Negley ’13 is currently traveling across the country reporting on the WNBA playoffs for Yahoo Sports in a year where the league completed one of its most successful seasons. TV viewership (ESPN) is up 170% this season, thanks in large part to rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
“Before (Clark), you could talk to almost any player you wanted. The best example I can give is I was at the 2023 WNBA Finals in Dallas and the scrum (media members) had about 15 people,” Negley said. “2024 came and in Albany you couldn’t move around in that locker room at all.”
Negley (right) reporting from the Yahoo Sports news desk.
Negley started on the “fast strike team” at Yahoo in 2018, where she worked on the news desk covering almost every breaking news story. Finally, his editor-in-chief asked the team members if they could cover any topic, what would they choose? Each writer was allowed to dedicate time each week to cover their subject. Negley chose the WNBA, covering the latest updates and making videos from her home.
“There aren’t many full-time women’s basketball writers in the country and I’m now in my second year as a full-time WNBA basketball writer,” Negley said. “In addition to the WNBA season, I cover the offseason, the draft lottery, free agency and the college season.”
Negley currently runs a live blog for Yahoo Sports, keeping fans up to date with everything happening in the WNBA. During the playoffs, she spends much of her workday at the team’s practice facility catching up on breaking news or injuries, speaking with coaches and players, or attending media scrums (an impromptu press conference). In between, she talks with her editor to bounce off potential story ideas.
“On match day, I usually get up early and check in to the event. I see if there are any updates. If there is an injury, when should they come back? Is anyone new coming into the first team?” » said Negley. “For the playoffs, you always have to anticipate the story. What does it mean if New York wins its first championship? Or if Las Vegas wins its third, how can we cover that context?”
Negley films interview with Caitlin Clark
Although Negley always knew she wanted to become a sports journalist, it wasn’t until she attended SUNY Brockport that she realized what sports she wanted to cover.
“I’ve always had a passion for covering good athletes and teams,” Negley said. “I wondered why our women’s softball or soccer teams weren’t getting as much coverage. I realized it was easier for me to cover them because they weren’t getting that attention.”
Negley began writing for The stylusThis is her first year as a sports reporter before quickly transitioning into the role of sports editor. During her senior year, she became editor of the newspaper, writing columns and overseeing the entire publication.
“It’s so cliché, but take advantage of your opportunities,” Negley said. “Write for The stylus. Try the television or radio station. Build your relationships. It’s such a simple thing, but when I was in Brockport, I saw that a lot of people weren’t doing it. »
