ESPN Features Headline Claiming Women's Tournament Coverage Is Racist

ESPN backtracked on a headline alleging coverage of the women's NCAA Tournament is racist.

LSU plays Iowa in the Elite 8 Monday night, and it's the center of attention in the sports world. People can't wait to see what unfolds, but apparently, some people would like to use it as an opportunity to lob allegations of racism and misogyny.

Instead of focusing on what is important - the game and the rematch between LSU and Caitlin Clark - ESPN posted an ANDSCAPE article written by William C. Rhoden with the title, "The NCAA women’s tournament is better than the racist, misogynistic press coverage it receives."

As soon as I saw the headline sent in as a tip, I had to wonder if it was an April Fools' Day joke. It was not. It was very real, and it seemed almost certain ESPN would change it.

ESPN features headline alleging coverage of women's tournament is racist. (Credit: ESPN front page)

ESPN changes front page headline of article alleging women's tournament coverage is racist.

That's exactly what happened. While the ANDSCAPE URL features the same headline, the new headline on ESPN.com reads "Rhoden: For LSU vs. Iowa, the only narrative should be competition."

Too bad screenshots are forever. You can see the new version below, and hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

ESPN features headline alleging coverage of women's tournament is racist. (Credit: ESPN front page)

To be clear, the article from Rhoden focuses heavily on The Los Angeles Times article that referred to LSU as "dirty debutantes."

The piece states, in part, "Indeed, the same mentality that inspired the UCLA-as-angels column would probably cast Iowa and Clark as saints, and LSU as sinners on Monday. The inflammatory imagery has made Mulkey and her LSU Tigers sympathetic figures in the larger fight for equality and evenhandedness in pursuit of an elusive level playing field."

Sigh. It's the same nonsense over and over again. The same nonsense that had Hailey Van Lith out here talking about how critics of the team must be racist.

And I'll say it again just so everyone knows it. The term "debutante" isn't racist. It refers to a young woman from high society. Now, was calling them "dirty debutantes" necessary or appropriate? Probably not needed, but that doesn't make it racist.

That's basic common sense. Yet, ESPN just can't help itself…..right up until the moment it decided to change the headline. It was an active decision. Someone had to go in and change the headline. It wasn't an accident, and unfortunately for ESPN, the screenshots are now on the internet forever.

Wokes are going to woke, and we all know how that story ends.

Taxes, death and ESPN doing dumb things. Three things you can really count on in life. Let me know your reactions at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.