{
  "id": 9203519,
  "title": "Kevin Durant defends WNBA from critics and political stunts: ‘All that stuff is just noise’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/kevin-durant-defends-wnba-from-critics-and-political-stunts-all-that",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T21:30:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kevin-durant-defends-wnba-critics-213019699.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When asked about the current state of the WNBA and the divisiveness surrounding it, Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant dismissed the chatter as mere \"noise.\" Durant emphasized the league's growth and success, highlighting the accomplishments of its players and the increased visibility the WNBA has garnered in recent years. He mentioned the return of the Houston Comets and the presence of top-tier talent who have signed lucrative deals with major brands. Durant, who has consistently supported women's basketball, expressed his disinterest in the political aspects of sports. Despite acknowledging the importance of the social messaging behind certain issues, Durant prioritized the league's focus on thriving and advancing the WNBA. He believed that with the right leadership, the WNBA could overcome distractions and achieve even greater success in the future.",
  "summary": "When it comes to the WNBA, many people want to center the conversation on political punching bags and off-court issues. Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant wants the conversation to be about how successful the women at the center of it have become. While the league has never been more successful, it’s also attracted the spotlight…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kevin Durant dismisses WNBA criticism as \"noise\"",
    "Highlights league's growth and success",
    "Prioritizes thriving over political distractions"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}