Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Kim Mulkey, the esteemed LSU women’s basketball coach, has threatened legal action against the Washington Post amid rumors that the newspaper plans to publish a potentially damaging article about her. Mulkey, known for leading LSU to last year’s NCAA title, launched a fiery attack on the newspaper and journalists as a whole during a heated press conference. She accused reporters of prioritizing sensationalism over truth, stating that such tactics erode trust in the media. Mulkey did not name the specific journalist involved but referenced past conflicts with Washington Post reporter Kent Babb.
Mulkey expressed her frustration at what she perceived to be an ongoing campaign against her and her coaching methods. She cited previous dissatisfaction with a profile Babb had written on LSU football coach Brian Kelly and stated that she had refused to grant an interview as a result. The defiant coach also revealed she had retained a prominent defamation law firm and vowed to sue the Washington Post if they published a false story about her.
Allegations of misconduct in the process of researching the article were also made by Mulkey. She claimed that the Post had contacted disgruntled former players in an attempt to gather negative quotes for the story, as well as attempting to manipulate other coaches into criticizing her. These allegations further fueled Mulkey’s determination to protect her university, her team, and herself from what she perceives as unjust scrutiny.
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Mulkey’s focus remains on her team’s performance in the NCAA Tournament. LSU is set to face Middle Tennessee in the second round, following their 70-60 victory over Rice in the opening game. Mulkey’s achievements in college basketball are impressive, with three national titles won as Baylor coach before her move to LSU.
Mulkey’s coaching style and relationship with her players have not been without controversy. While some former players have praised her for her support, such as defending Brittney Griner against hostile fans, others have criticized her alleged attempts to control their image and personal lives. Griner claimed that Mulkey instructed her to hide her tattoos and refrain from publicly discussing her sexuality. These contrasting perspectives add further complexity to the story surrounding the coach.
As the anticipation builds for LSU’s upcoming game, Mulkey’s spat with the Washington Post has undoubtedly added an extra layer of intrigue and scrutiny. The legal threat she has issued to the newspaper demonstrates her commitment to protecting her reputation and the image of the university and team she holds in high regard. Time will tell how this clash between Mulkey and the media will ultimately play out.