Cheryl Reeve, the esteemed head coach of the Minnesota Lynx and the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, found herself at the center of media attention in May following a social media post that subtly commented on the extensive coverage of Caitlin Clark.
Reeve, in promoting her team’s upcoming game against the Chicago Sky, highlighted alternative ways for fans to follow the game, given its lack of live broadcast options. Her post on X included the message: “ALSO in action tonight — @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky 7 pm CST. Though fans won’t be able to watch, #Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play. Or if you are in market, come to the game…as we start the season off right.”
At first glance, the post appeared straightforward and promotional, but the inclusion of hashtags such as “12 teams” and “the W is more than one player” suggested a critique of the media’s focus on Caitlin Clark.
This addition sparked speculation that Reeve was indirectly commenting on the disproportionate media attention Clark was receiving, especially following Clark’s exclusion from the Olympic team—a decision that stirred controversy and led many to wonder about Reeve’s involvement.
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The controversy surrounding the post was exacerbated by Reeve’s subsequent decision to set her X account to private amid growing scrutiny and criticism over her perceived slight against Clark. USA Basketball spokesperson Michael Terry clarified that Reeve would not address questions regarding her social media activities or the Olympic team roster, emphasizing that “The roster is selected by the committee as per the selection procedures,” and that Reeve’s role was primarily to define the team’s on-court strategies and oversee player instruction.
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark chose to respond gracefully to her Olympic snub, publicly congratulating her peers who were selected for the team. This mature approach has been noted by observers, some of whom suggest that Reeve might benefit from adopting a similar stance of gracious professionalism in light of the controversy.
As the situation unfolds, the dialogue around the selection process, media coverage, and leadership in sports continues, highlighting the complex dynamics of team representation and public perception in professional women’s basketball.
