LSU coach Kim Mulkey criticizes Washington Post for alleged 'hit piece' and legal threats
Louisiana State University's women's basketball head coach Kim Mulkey has criticized the Washington Post for an alleged 'hit piece' and has issued legal threats to prevent its publication. Find out more about the controversy surrounding Mulkey's response to the article in question.
Louisiana State University women’s basketball head coach, Kim Mulkey, criticized the Washington Post on Saturday for what she believes is a negative article about her. She stated that she may take legal action if the article is published.
During a news conference before her team's NCAA Division I tournament game, Mulkey expressed her frustration with the media, citing unethical tactics and biased reporting. She vowed to defend her team of talented young women and herself against any attacks from the Washington Post.
"I've hired the best defamation law firm in the country to take action if the Washington Post publishes any false stories about me. Not everyone can hold journalists accountable, but I can and I will," she stated.
A spokesperson from the Washington Post chose not to respond to Mulkey's comments.
The reporter from the newspaper has been trying to interview Mulkey for the past two years. She said that the reporter got in touch with the school on Tuesday and sent over a dozen questions to be answered by Thursday, just as the team was getting ready for their first-round game.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey was seen on the sidelines during a women's college basketball game between the LSU Tigers and the Ole' Miss Rebels on February 7, 2022, at SJB Pavilion in Oxford, MS.
OXFORD, MS - FEBRUARY 07: LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey on the sidelines during the womens college basketball game between the LSU Tigers and the Ole' Miss Rebels on February 07, 2022, at SJB Pavilion in Oxford, MS. (Photo by Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
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According to Mulkey, she felt that the deadline set by LSU and the reporter was unreasonable and impossible to meet. She believes that it was a deliberate tactic to prevent her from commenting and to divert attention away from the ongoing tournament.
This is part of a recurring pattern that has been going on for years. I had informed this reporter two years ago that I was unhappy with the negative article he wrote about Brian Kelly, the LSU football head coach, and that's why I declined to do an interview with him.
Kim Mulkey, who has been at LSU for three years, led the Tigers to their first NCAA women's basketball national championship by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes last season.
Before coaching the Tigers, the Hall of Fame coach had a successful 21-season tenure at Baylor University, guiding the team to three national titles.
Some former players have shared with me that the Washington Post has reached out to them, providing an opportunity to remain anonymous in a story if they speak negatively about me. The newspaper has been contacting disgruntled ex-players to gather negative quotes for their article. Unfortunately, they seem to be overlooking the numerous positive stories that have been shared over the past 40 years about me.
The No. 3 seeded Tigers face No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders in the second round of the tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday.
Editor's P/S:
Kim Mulkey's criticism of the Washington Post highlights the ongoing tension between media scrutiny and the protection of one's reputation. Mulkey's concerns about unethical tactics and biased reporting are understandable, as the media has a responsibility to report fairly and accurately. However, the Post's decision not to respond to her comments suggests that they stand by their reporting.
The issue of former players being contacted by the Post to provide negative quotes raises ethical concerns. While journalists have a right to seek out diverse perspectives, they should not engage in practices that could potentially harm individuals or damage their reputations. It is important for the media to balance the need for accountability with the protection of individuals' privacy and well-being. have a responsibility to verify information and present a balanced perspective. It remains to be seen whether the Washington Post will publish the article in question, and how it will address Mulkey's concerns.
