Quora Question & Answer

Question: Why is ESPN reporter Holly Rowe facing backlash over her video at the Fever vs. Tempo WNBA game?

​Answer:

ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe sparked a major debate on social media after posting a video of herself getting emotional over a sellout crowd of 19,000+ fans at the Indiana Fever vs. Toronto Tempo game at Scotiabank Arena.  

​Here is a breakdown of why the video created such a buzz online:

​Omission of Caitlin Clark: The main driver of the backlash was that Rowe did not mention Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, despite many fans attending specifically to see her play.  

​Arena Upgrade Context: The game was shifted to Scotiabank Arena (capacity 19,000) from the Toronto Tempo's regular venue (capacity 8,500) to meet ticket demand for Clark's arrival in Canada. Fans felt failing to credit her impact was an intentional omission.  

​Fan Defense of Holly Rowe: On the other hand, many defended Rowe by pointing out that she has covered women's basketball for over 30 years. Her emotional reaction was rooted in seeing arenas packed after decades of reporting on the sport when attendance was minimal.