ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo Apologizes After Awkward ‘Makes America Great’ Comment During WNBA Game

During ESPN's broadcast of the Indiana Fever-Las Vegas Aces WNBA game, analyst Rebecca Lobo sparked an awkward silence after saying, "That's what makes America great," while expressing disagreement with a foul call. Play-by-play announcer Pam Ward responded with silence and later suggested Lobo rephrase her comment to "difference of opinion," which Lobo agreed to and apologized for. The incident drew attention and criticism, with some viewing Ward's reaction as excessively political and unprofessional, especially given the eight seconds of dead air it caused. Lobo's original comment was seen by some as a patriotic affirmation, while others interpreted the swift apology as a reluctance to appear politically charged. The game itself saw the Aces come from behind to win 89-81, with Caitlin Clark struggling from the three-point line and A’ja Wilson leading the Aces' strong fourth-quarter performance. The exchange highlighted tensions around expressions of patriotism in sports broadcasting and differing perspectives among commentators.