Stephen A. Smith’s Shocking Demand: Why Britney Griner Should Be Permanently Banned From the WNBA

For most athletes, surviving a Russian prison and returning home would be enough reason to live quietly, thankful for freedom. But for Brittney Griner, the controversies didn’t end at the airport. Instead, her name is now at the center of what could become the most explosive scandal in women’s basketball history. And according to Stephen A. Smith, the league can’t afford to ignore it anymore.

In a fiery interview that’s still echoing across sports media, Stephen A. didn’t just call Griner out—he called for her permanent ban from the WNBA. His reasoning? A damning mix of favoritism, double standards, and allegations that cut right to the survival of the league itself.

The Gender Rumors the WNBA Won’t Touch

Stephen A.’s most shocking claim was tied to the elephant in the room: the long-running rumors about Griner’s gender and whether she was born male. For years, whispers have circulated across social media, amplified by TikTok breakdowns and supposed “leaked medical records.”

Stephen A. argued that if even a fraction of those rumors are true, the league has been playing a dangerous game—both literally and figuratively. On the court, it would mean Griner has a built-in advantage that no other player can match: superior size, strength, wingspan, and stamina. The kind of advantage that makes dunks look effortless and shot-blocking routine.

Fans have pointed to clips of her two-handed jams, her ability to dominate the paint, and her sheer physical presence as proof she doesn’t belong in a women’s league. “If the WNBA keeps letting that slide,” Stephen A. warned, “what’s the point of calling it a women’s league at all?”

Beyond Unfair—Potentially Dangerous

The conversation isn’t just about fairness. It’s about safety. Players going up against Griner have long complained, publicly and privately, that she’s allowed to play with a physicality that would earn others instant whistles.

Clips have gone viral of her throwing her weight around in the paint, muscling smaller players out of position, or slamming down dunks while barely being touched by referees. Fans argue the officiating bias only magnifies the risks. “If the league is ignoring the rules to protect one player,” one podcast host ranted, “then they’re risking everybody else’s career just to keep her on the floor.”

And Stephen A. agreed. If the rumors are true, the imbalance isn’t just unfair—it’s dangerous.

A League Already on Thin Ice

For the WNBA, this comes at the worst possible time. The league has fought tooth and nail for every ratings bump, every sponsorship dollar, and every broadcast deal. Its survival depends heavily on credibility—convincing fans and advertisers alike that this is a serious, professional competition.

But the Griner controversy is tearing holes in that image. Every day the league refuses to address the rumors, more fans lose trust. Social media is filled with blunt questions: Is this league rigged? Is it protecting its cash cows instead of protecting the game?

One viral podcast clip summed up the growing sentiment: “People don’t even watch women’s sports as it is. Now you’re telling me the games might be fake too?”

The WNBA doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring perception. For a league where every sponsor matters, credibility isn’t optional—it’s survival.

The Double Standard Problem

Stephen A. hammered another point that fans haven’t missed: the double standards. Other athletes in the WNBA have been fined, suspended, or outright banned for far less. Elevated testosterone levels, old tweets, even minor off-court incidents have led to punishments.

Look at the recent storm around Angel Reese. Reports claim she’s on the verge of suspension over far smaller issues. Meanwhile, Griner has faced no suspension for her arrest, no publicized testing, and no official response to the leaks.

To fans, the difference is glaring. “They’re quick to punish Angel,” one viral TikTok video raged, “but Brittney gets shielded every single time.”

Silence That Speaks Volumes

Griner herself hasn’t helped the situation. Weeks have passed since the latest leaks, and she’s made no effort to publicly clear her name. She hasn’t demanded the league release evidence, nor has she addressed the swirling speculation.

And in the world of sports media, silence is gasoline on the fire. Each day without a response, the rumors grow louder. Reddit threads and TikToks echo the same question: If there’s nothing to hide, why not prove it?

The Money Problem

Sponsors don’t like controversy. And while the WNBA may be staying quiet, advertisers are already speaking with their wallets. Insiders say brands have quietly backed away from featuring Griner in promos. Some sponsors have even reduced their WNBA ad spend, unwilling to risk being dragged into the mess.

Without that money, the league’s foundation starts to crumble. Ticket sales can’t sustain the WNBA alone. It needs partnerships—like Kim Kardashian’s Skims, which currently outfits both NBA and WNBA players. But as one viral TikTok pointed out, “Without brands like Skims, the WNBA might not even be standing.”

A Policy Void

Adding to the chaos is the fact that the WNBA has no clear, public policy on issues like gender verification, testosterone limits, or eligibility. Other organizations—from the Olympics to FIFA to the NCAA—have strict guidelines. Meet the standards, or you don’t compete. Period.

The WNBA’s silence makes it look like amateurs protecting a favorite, and Stephen A. warned that the longer they delay, the worse it looks.

The Players’ Breaking Point

Behind the scenes, there are whispers that some players have had enough. Veterans don’t want their legacies tainted by a scandal they didn’t cause. Younger stars don’t want to be dragged into controversy by association.

Some insiders even claim players are discussing sit-outs if the league doesn’t come clean. The threat isn’t idle—players have walked out before, most notably over pay disputes. Now, the same spirit of protest could collide with the Griner saga.

The Legal Time Bomb

The legal risks are staggering. If leaked documents are ever verified, and it’s proven the WNBA knew but looked away, lawsuits will fly from every direction.

Players could sue for lost bonuses and titles. Sponsors could demand refunds on contracts. Fans could even launch class action suits for false advertising. Any one of these could cripple the league financially. Combined, they could destroy it.

Caitlin Clark and the Future of the WNBA

Stephen A. made one final, brutal point: Caitlin Clark is the league’s lifeline right now. Her arrival has sparked unprecedented ratings, sponsorship deals, and mainstream attention. Advertisers and networks want Clark to lead the WNBA into a new era.

But every Griner scandal pulls attention away from Clark, muddying the narrative and endangering the momentum the league desperately needs. And if Clark ever decides the league isn’t worth the drama, the WNBA’s future probably leaves with her.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

At the heart of Stephen A.’s argument is this: the Griner scandal isn’t just about one player. It’s about whether the WNBA can prove it even deserves to exist.

If fans start believing every game is tainted, every star is protected, and every controversy is swept under the rug, the fragile growth of women’s basketball will collapse. Rising stars will be dragged down, sponsors will walk, and fans will tune out.

The league is at a crossroads. Either protect its biggest star or protect its future. Because if it keeps bending the rules for Brittney Griner, every scandal that follows will hit twice as hard.

And if the receipts Stephen A. keeps teasing actually drop, it won’t just be Griner facing a ban. It might be the WNBA itself that doesn’t survive.

Full video: