Biden Goofs, Calls WNBA Champion A ‘Coach’

President Joe Biden suffered a gaffe in his speech on Thursday as he welcomed the back-to-back reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, to the White House.

During the speech, Biden was trying to single out recently retired Candace Parker, a former member of the squad who played in 18 games during the season.

Despite not joining the playoffs, Parker managed to earn her third championship ring, a feat that spurred Biden to praise her. However, he addressed her wrongly as “one of the greatest all-time coaches” in the history of WNBA even though Parker has never coached a game.

“And while she couldn’t be here, I want to acknowledge someone who will be considered one of the greatest all-time coaches, Candace Parker. She played 16 seasons in the league, two Olympic Gold Medals, two regular season MVPs, and a Final MVP. And look — and going out on top of the world with her third ring, she announced her retirement from the game,” Biden said further.

The president went on to say playfully that he wants to go back-to-back like the Aces, alluding to his reelection bid.

He then said that it has been what he called a “banner year” for women’s basketball.

“It matters to girls and women, finally seeing themselves represented. It matters to all Americans. That’s why as a nation, we need to support women’s sports,” he said.

In March, Biden put out a tweet calling for better payments for WNBA players after Caitlin Clark’s contract went viral after she was chosen alongside the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever.

“Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But right now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women are not paid their fair share,” he tweeted.

“It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve,” he added.

Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all.

But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share.

It’s time that we give our daughters the same opportunities as our sons and ensure women are paid what they deserve.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 16, 2024