The New York Times has launched a series: “Mothers That Teammates and Families Both Need.” I was impressed that the first story in the series on mothers in the WNBA succeeded at presenting great facts and expert advice. On the first read, I was really excited about the possibility of women at the margins, mainly mothers of color, getting coverage. However, a project that explores the plight of mothers that prioritizes the needs of teammates and families over what moms need is a surefire fail, fail, fail and here’s why.

While the writer gets her investigative-journalism on and reveals that 11 moms play in the WNBA, she unfortunately goes on to frame these players’ decision to mother as something the WNBA ...