Keith Olbermann supports USA Today columnist after WNBPA says ‘you should close your union’

A USA Today columnist is getting support from one of her colleagues after the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association issued a scathing statement about her.

Last week, the WNBPA called out Christine Brennan, saying she had fomented “racist, homophobic and misogynistic criticism” online following an interview with Connecticut Sun Guard Dijonai Carrington.

Brennan asked Carrington if she planned to punch Caitlin Clark in the eye during a playoff series, then asked if she laughed about it afterward.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Keith Olbermann speaks during the ESPN portion of the Summer Television Critics Association tour on July 24, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Carrington, 26, shared a screenshot of an offensive email she received on her social media before Game 2 of the Sun’s first-round playoff series against the Indiana Fever. The email directed a racial slur and threats at Carrington.

“To unprofessional media representatives like Christine Brennan: You are not deceiving anyone. This so-called interview in the name of journalism was a blatant attempt to mislead a professional athlete into participating in a narrative that is false and designed to incite racism. “You cannot hide behind your term of office,” the association said in a statement.

This statement is a bad move by the association, said former ESPN presenter Keith Olbermann.

“Congratulations. You just attacked one of the women who paved the way to make a WNBA possible,” Olbermann wrote in an X post.

USA Today columnist Christine Brennan asks a question at a Team USA press conference during the 2018 Winter Olympics. (Shanna Lockwood-USA Today Sports)

SPIKE LEE CHIRPS ACES STAR KELSEY PLUM DURING WNBA PLAYOFF GAME

“If you believe (Brennan) has any agenda other than supporting and covering women’s sports, you should shut down your union and suspend WNBA play until you learn what SHE fought for to get where she is is. The ‘unprofessionals’ here are the leaders of “Your organization owes Chris Brennan an unreserved apology for the slander.”

Brennan thanked Olbermann in her own post.

The statement went on to accuse Brennan of “abusing your privileges” and added that she “does not deserve the credentials issued to you.” The union also called on USA Today to take action.

DiJonai Carrington of the Sun dribbles the ball against the Indiana Fever during the WNBA playoffs on September 25, 2024 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

USA Today also defended its employee.

“Journalists ask questions and look for the truth. At USA Today, our mission is to report without bias,” the company wrote. “We reject the notion that the interview maintained any narrative other than directly seeking the player’s perspective. Christine Brennan is considered a champion for women and athletes, but first and foremost she is a journalist.”

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage of Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.