The BIG3 basketball league is facing major backlash and what many are calling a PR disaster after firing media personality Rachel DeMita over a now-viral tweet she posted in support of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The firing, intended to silence controversy, has instead sparked a storm of outrage across social media and sports media circles — and insiders say the league is already feeling the heat.
DeMita, a longtime basketball host and influencer with a massive following, reportedly lost her role with the BIG3 just hours after posting a tweet praising Clark’s resilience and impact on the women’s game. While the tweet itself seemed relatively harmless — applauding Clark for handling physical play with grace and drawing millions of new fans to the sport — it apparently didn’t sit well with some within the league.
In a now-deleted statement, sources close to the BIG3 claimed the tweet was “polarizing” and “unprofessional,” and hinted that DeMita had violated internal guidelines related to neutrality. But the public didn’t buy it. Within minutes, DeMita’s name began trending, as fans, athletes, and fellow creators rallied behind her with the hashtag #JusticeForRachel and called out the league for what many viewed as a gross overreaction.
DeMita herself responded later that day, writing, “I stand by everything I said. Supporting women in sports should never be controversial.” Her tweet was met with overwhelming support, including likes and comments from several WNBA players and sports journalists who slammed the BIG3 for silencing a respected voice in the basketball community.
The fallout has been swift and brutal. Brands that previously partnered with the BIG3 are reportedly reconsidering their sponsorships, while prominent figures in sports media are calling on the league to issue a public apology and reinstate DeMita. One anonymous insider described the mood inside the BIG3 offices as “tense and chaotic,” admitting that the firing had “backfired in every imaginable way.”
What was intended to be a simple personnel decision has now turned into a full-blown scandal. Sports fans from both the men’s and women’s basketball world have united in defense of DeMita, calling the move outdated and tone-deaf, especially at a time when the women’s game is experiencing unprecedented growth and support.
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark has not commented on the situation directly, but her presence looms large in the story. The Indiana Fever rookie has become a lightning rod in the basketball world — not just for her incredible performances, but for the polarizing reactions she sparks among players, fans, and now even employers. Support for her continues to pour in, and now it’s intertwined with support for DeMita, whose only “offense” appears to be expressing admiration for the rising star.
What’s even more damaging for the BIG3 is that DeMita had been one of the most recognizable and respected media figures in their orbit. Her polished coverage and deep connection with fans made her a valuable asset to the league — and now, a powerful voice against it. Losing her, and in such a public and controversial fashion, is being viewed as a self-inflicted wound the BIG3 may not recover from easily.
As the backlash grows, the league has gone radio silent. No official statement has been made since news of the firing broke, but behind the scenes, sources say there are urgent meetings taking place and “serious reconsideration” of how the situation was handled.
For now, the damage is done. Rachel DeMita is being hailed as a symbol of integrity and courage, while the BIG3 is facing accusations of censorship, poor leadership, and a failure to support women in sports media. What was meant to be a quiet dismissal has become a loud and public mess — one that fans and media alike won’t forget anytime soon.
And as for DeMita? Her platform is growing by the minute. She may have been pushed out of one league, but the basketball world is making it clear: she’s far from finished.
