The compliment that ignited the internet: JuJu Watkins and the controversial comment from Lisa Byington
In the middle of the second quarter, while Watkins prepared to shoot free throws, Byington decided to highlight her impact on women’s basketball.
With great enthusiasm, she said, “JuJu Watkins has taken the world of women’s basketball by storm. She has definitely ignited Los Angeles.” However, the announcer didn’t anticipate the avalanche of criticism she would receive.
The problem wasn’t with the praise for the player, but with the phrase “set Los Angeles on fire.”
In 2025, Los Angeles is facing a devastating wildfire crisis, which made Byington’s words, though well-intentioned, sound insensitive and out of place. Social media quickly erupted, condemning the comment as an unfortunate slip-up.
Divided reactions and the price of a mistake
Although Byington has built an impressive career as the first female announcer for March Madness and the lead announcer for the Milwaukee Bucks, this comment could become one of her biggest mistakes.
Many of the announcer’s defenders quickly argued that they had exaggerated the criticism and that Byington’s intention to praise JuJu Watkins was clear. However, the lesson was clear: context is crucial, especially in such sensitive times.
The truth is that, no matter how human the error may be, it has sparked an important conversation about the responsibility that communicators have during times of crisis. A simple compliment, well-intentioned but misplaced, can spark a media storm.
