ESPN Top Analyst Chiney Ogwumike Resigns Amid Backlash Over Explosive Comment on Charlie Kirk’s Demise..
In a stunning turn of events that has rocked the sports media landscape, ESPN’s star basketball analyst Chiney Ogwumike has resigned following a firestorm of controversy sparked by her inflammatory social media post regarding the assassination of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk. The former WNBA All-Star, known for her sharp insights on NBA Today and WNBA Countdown, stepped down on Wednesday, citing irreparable damage to her professional reputation and the network’s brand.
Ogwumike, 33, first joined ESPN in 2018 as one of the few active professional athletes to hold a full-time broadcasting role. Her meteoric rise—from co-anchoring SportsCenter Africa to becoming a fixture on high-profile shows like First Take and Get Up—made her a trailblazer for women of color in sports media. Just last October, she inked a lucrative four-year extension, reportedly worth millions, solidifying her as ESPN’s go-to voice for both men’s and women’s hoops. Yet, in the wake of Kirk’s tragic death on September 15, 2025, Ogwumike’s private Facebook comment—described by sources as “gleefully celebratory” of the Turning Point USA founder’s demise—leaked online, igniting a torrent of outrage.
The post, which read in part, “Finally, some good news in this messed-up world—rest in pieces, you bigot,” according to screenshots circulating on X and conservative outlets, was intended for a closed group of friends. But within hours, it went viral, amassing over 500,000 views and drawing swift condemnation from fans, colleagues, and even ESPN brass. “This isn’t just tone-deaf; it’s a direct assault on basic human decency,” tweeted former ESPN host Jemele Hill, who rarely aligns with right-wing critics but called the remark “unforgivable.”
The backlash was immediate and ferocious. Conservative influencers, including Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens, amplified the leak, labeling Ogwumike a “hate-monger” and launching #FireChiney campaigns that trended nationwide. Advertisers, including Nike and Gatorade—key sponsors of ESPN’s WNBA coverage—reportedly pressured network executives, fearing association with the divisive rhetoric. On X, posts from users like @TruePatriotVox decried her as part of a “leftist media purge,” while others, such as @ChezCharde, highlighted the irony: “She praised white men on air, then gets torched for dissing Kirk. Hypocrisy much?”
ESPN, already navigating choppy waters post-2024 layoffs, suspended Ogwumike pending investigation on September 18. Internal memos obtained by Fox News revealed heated debates in meetings, with one exec reportedly saying, “We can’t afford another PR nightmare like the Mina Kimes dust-up.” Ogwumike issued a half-hearted apology on her “Chiney Show” podcast, claiming the comment was “venting frustration” over Kirk’s anti-DEI stances, which clashed with her advocacy for equity in women’s sports. But critics dismissed it as insincere, pointing to her history of bold takes, including a May 2025 flap over alleged racism at a Sky-Fever game that drew fire for jumping the gun.
In her resignation letter, shared exclusively with The Athletic, Ogwumike wrote, “I’ve poured my heart into amplifying Black voices in basketball, but this moment has shown me the limits of grace in a polarized world. ESPN deserves better than this distraction.” Sources close to the situation whisper of a severance package north of $2 million, sweetened to ensure an NDA silencing further details.
The void left by Ogwumike is seismic. ESPN now scrambles to fill her slots, with Monica McNutt and Richard Jefferson floated as replacements. WNBA insiders worry about the chilling effect on diverse voices, especially amid the league’s surge in popularity. “Chiney’s fearlessness made her essential,” said Sparks GM Curt Miller. “This feels like a loss for all of us.”
Kirk’s death—a brazen shooting outside a Phoenix rally—has polarized America further, with tributes pouring in from Trump allies and vigils clashing with protests. Ogwumike’s exit underscores the razor-thin line media figures walk in the Trump-era culture wars. As one X user quipped, “From court-side to canceled: Welcome to 2025.”
Will ESPN learn from this? Or is it just another casualty in the battle for America’s airwaves? Only time—and the next viral post—will tell.
