Rapinoe Praises Reese for Willingness to Skip Media Duties and Pay Fines

Megan Rapinoe, the retired soccer star, praised WNBA player Angel Reese for saying she would skip media obligations and accept the fines rather than answer unwanted questions.

Rapinoe made the comments on her podcast. "I think Angel is a really great example of her taking her power back," Rapinoe said. "Angel was set up as a villain before she was even in the WNBA, and now she’s making it clear that she’s gonna protect her peace."

Reese expressed her view on a recent podcast with Michelle Obama. "I’ll take a fine before I have to go media and feel like my back is against the wall," Reese said. She argued that media members have twisted her words and pushed narratives she does not agree with.

Rapinoe said Reese's stance sets an example for other athletes, especially female athletes. "I think this is a great example for all athletes and all female athletes of, 'I don’t really have to do this.' It might mean I get a fine, but at some point, we have to adjust the expectations that journalists can just go up there and throw any kind of narrative," Rapinoe said.

Rapinoe added that journalism needs to match the level of the athletes. "There needs to be a quality of journalism that is at the level of these athletes," she said. "The media landscape is changing rapidly in women’s sports, and of course, the W, as always, is out front."