ESPN commentator apologizes for saying 'That's what makes America great' during awkward WNBA broadcast moment

An awkward on-air soundlessness occurred during ESPN’s broadcast of the Indiana Fever-Las Vegas Aces crippled connected Sunday aft expert Rebecca Lobo said, "That’s what makes America great."

Lobo’s remark was successful notation to saying she disagreed with officials making a foul telephone successful the last infinitesimal of the Aces’ 89-81 win implicit the Fever. 

"They disagree with you," play-by-play announcer Pam Ward said to her spouse Lobo. 

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Rebecca Lobo speaks during an lawsuit celebrating Connecticut Huskies caput manager Geno Auriemma’s all-time NCAA hoops wins grounds astatine the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion connected Nov. 20, 2024 successful Storrs, Connecticut. (Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

"They do, and I disagree with them," Lobo responded. "And that’s fine. That’s what makes America great, close Pam Ward?"

After asking that question, determination was a agelong soundlessness betwixt the 2 earlier Lobo said, "I should rephrase that," to which Ward responded, "Yes."

Ward, then, suggested Lobo accidental "difference of opinion," which she agreed. She adjacent said "sorry astir that" earlier continuing to telephone the game. 

CAITLIN CLARK'S SHOCKING COLD STREAK CONTINUES AS FEVER CRUMBLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER TO ACES

The Caitlin Clark-led Fever were down for the 2nd consecutive game, arsenic the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year struggled shooting from the three-point enactment yet again.

After going 0-for-7 successful the nonaccomplishment to the Golden State Valkyries past Thursday, Clark was conscionable 1-for-10 successful Las Vegas. While she could not find the changeable from agelong range, the Aces came backmost successful the 4th fourth to bushed the Fever, who led done the archetypal 3 periods of the game. 

ESPN announcers Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo look connected earlier the nationalist title of the women's 2025 NCAA tourney betwixt the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Connecticut Huskies astatine Amalie Arena. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Clark went 7-of-20 from the tract with 4 made escaped throws for a full of 19 points. 

Meanwhile, three-time league MVP A’ja Wilson and her 24 points for the crippled started taking implicit connected their location tribunal successful crunch time. 

Teamed up with Jackie Young (19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Chelsea Gray (18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists), Wilson and the Aces outscored the Fever 31-20 successful the 4th fourth to tally distant with the victory. 

While Clark was struggling with her jumper successful this game, the Fever were seeing large contributions from the game’s starring scorer, Aliyah Boston, who had 26 points connected 12-of-19 shooting, and Kelsey Mitchell, who had a large chunk of her 20 points successful the 4th fourth to support Indiana successful the game. 

Former WNBA subordinate and existent expert Rebecca Lobo calls the crippled connected July 25, 2023 astatine the Wintrust Arena successful Chicago. (Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

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However, aft Mitchell’s three-pointer tied things astatine 69 apiece with 5 minutes to play, the Aces strapped successful and started to propulsion away, acknowledgment to immoderate cardinal baskets from Young, Wilson and Gray. 

The West Coast docket continues for the Fever with a last crippled against the Seattle Storm connected Tuesday earlier heading backmost home. 

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