The StudBudz: Navigating Controversy in Women's Sports
- WATCH HER PLAY
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 16
The Rise of the StudBudz
Minnesota Lynx guards Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, known to fans as the StudBudz, gained significant attention during the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend. Their 72-hour Twitch stream provided fans with a unique behind-the-scenes look at All-Star life. The duo's infectious personalities even caught the eye of Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Portnoy praised the StudBudz, stating their stream was better marketing for the league than anything the WNBA had done in its history.
Buoyed by this shoutout, the StudBudz have discussed inviting Portnoy onto their livestream. Their aim is to press him face-to-face about his well-documented criticism of Angel Reese. Williams stated, “When Dave comes on, we’re gonna ask him, ‘Hey Dave, why are you talking about Angel like that?’ Because we love her bad.”
Backlash from the Community
This idea has sparked intense backlash across the WNBA fan community. Many perceive Portnoy as not just controversial, but actively harmful. Angel Reese supporters point to Portnoy’s decades of demeaning commentary toward the 23-year-old Reese. He has called her a “classless piece of sh*t” and encouraged others to hate her—all while publicly championing her rival, Caitlin Clark.
Some supporters took drastic measures, immediately cancelling their subscription to the StudBudz Twitch channel.
Voices from the Community
TikTok sport content creator arperry01 (Angela Perry) made a video explaining why having Portnoy on their platform puts the StudBudz at odds with many segments of their base. Many see Portnoy as emblematic of misogyny and, at times, racism.
The Defense of Dialogue
Despite the mounting criticism, Williams and Hiedeman have doubled down. Portnoy has also defended the dialogue. He stated, “People are big mad at StudBudz just cause we talked. W fans are freaking nuts. I got one of the biggest megaphones in the country. I love them. I love the league. Yeah, I don’t like Angel and I love Caitlin. It’s called sports.”
Key Takeaways from the Controversy
This situation is not just drama; it highlights several important points:
Brand-Building vs. Values
The StudBudz have emerged as powerful content creators within women’s sports. Partnering with a mainstream figure like Portnoy could open doors. However, what is the cost to community trust and identity?
Lack of Formal Guidance
Many WNBA players operate their own streams without established PR or media support. Players often navigate these crossroads without professional advisory backing.
Fan Base Identity Tension
The WNBA’s growth post-2024 has attracted broader audiences. However, this has also intensified the divide between legacy fans who value social justice-centered fanship and those drawn by celebrity coverage or outsider engagement.
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