Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray deserved better when it came to how ESPN handled footage of her injury during Game 3 of the 2023 WNBA Finals.
Injuries, of course, are part of sports. It’s awful for everyone involved: the athlete, the organization, and the fans. Understandably, coverage of the injury is provided to give updates, add context, and piece together the storyline. A blatant lack of respect for the athlete is not included in that.
ESPN didn’t get that memo.
During Game 3, Gray went down with an apparent leg injury. The All-Star could be seen wincing in pain in the middle of play, trying to play through it and before going to the bench, and eventually, the Aces’ locker room.
But ESPN kept the cameras rolling, even as she struggled.
Chelsea Gray is a game-changer. A series-changer. Hoping her injury isn’t as serious as it looked. pic.twitter.com/LUrIVlURtr
— Rebecca Lobo (@RebeccaLobo) October 16, 2023
Chelsea Gray exited the floor for the locker room, hopping off the court. May be a foot issue? Kierstan Bell is checking on now for her first moments of the game.
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) October 15, 2023
Out of respect for Gray, I will not post the extended footage, but trust me. It was BAD.
As Gray attempted to get off the court, the network switched to a camera that showed her trying to make it down a hallway. Viewers were given access to a clearly-in-pain Gray crying out (with audio) and unable to move without assistance.
Come on, ESPN. Seriously?
To make matters worse, the cameras continued to roll nearly the entire time Gray moved down the hallway with her team. At one point, the network did a split-screen view of Gray on one side and the game on the other. Unreal.
ngl. I was disgusted by ESPN showing Chelsea Gray struggling to walk in the tunnel. some things don’t need to be seen.
— Ace Pedraza & @candacepedraza.bsky.social (@candace_pedraza) October 15, 2023
I have no problem showing a bit of behind-the-scenes coverage. This is commonly done in basketball, but in this case, with Gray in agony, it was too far. A quick flash on the screen and a cutaway back to the action gets that done. There was no need to keep the camera rolling as Gray dealt with her injury.
Gray deserves privacy as she receives care. I get it — the viewer experience matters, but there has to be some point when we get that she’s injured, and we’re filled in.
Be better.