Candace Parker champions WNBA analyst's critique of the men's hockey team's reaction to a Trump joke, igniting a dialogue on sports recognition.
WNBA legend Candace Parker publicly backed analyst Sarah Spain after Spain criticized the U.S. men’s hockey team’s reaction to a joke made by Donald Trump during a post-Olympics phone call.
The controversy began after Trump congratulated the U.S. men’s hockey team on its gold medal victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics and invited the players to attend his State of the Union address.
During the call, Trump joked that he would “probably be impeached” if he did not also invite the women’s team, which had also won gold. Members of the men’s team were heard laughing during the exchange.
A clip of the moment circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions. Some viewed the remark as harmless humor, while others criticized it as dismissive toward the women’s team’s achievement.
Spain addressed the situation on Instagram, arguing that the viral moment distracted from what had been a rare shared celebration of national success.
“I have some thoughts about that Trump phone call to the US men’s hockey team,” Spain said in a video accompanying her post. She added that the reaction from players shifted attention away from what she described as a moment of unity and goodwill surrounding both teams’ historic gold medals.
Parker signaled her agreement in the comments section.
“100% and no notes,” Parker wrote.
Lexie Brown also showed support, adding, “Well said !!!!📣.”
That said, the 2026 Games marked the first time both U.S. hockey teams won gold in the same Olympics. The men’s team secured its first gold since 1980, while the women captured another title after previously winning in 2018.
According to team representatives, both squads were invited to attend the State of the Union, though the women’s team was unable to attend due to prior commitments.
The episode has sparked broader discussion online about representation and recognition in women’s sports, particularly in moments intended to celebrate shared achievement.
Parker, a two-time Olympic gold medalist herself, has frequently spoken on issues surrounding respect and equity in women’s athletics. Her public support of Spain’s comments placed another high-profile voice into a debate that extended beyond hockey and into the larger conversation about how women’s accomplishments are acknowledged alongside men’s.