CBS announcer receives blowback for saying JuJu Watkins 'lit the world of Los Angeles on fire'
CBS Sports announcer Lisa Byington attempted to pay major respect to USC phenom JuJu Watkins. Unfortunately, she used an ill-timed phrase to describe how Watkins has developed into one of the superstars in all of college basketball.
During Sunday’s Big Ten Tournament title game, Byington said Watkins has “caught the women’s basketball world by storm” but didn’t stop there.
“(She) certainly lit the world of Los Angeles on fire,” continued Byington.
"JuJu Watkins has caught the women's basketball world by storm. Certainly lit the world of Los Angeles on fire."
(h/t: @EclassLopez) pic.twitter.com/aVK7h78h81
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 9, 2025
Of course, that phrase is often used to describe a hot star or burgeoning superstar in the world of sports. But the recent wildfires in LA left many without homes and endangered countless lives, so a better, more thought-out response was needed at that particular moment.
That comment by Byington undoubtedly drew a lot of attention with fans on social media weighing in. Many agreed with the idea that the particular comment in question was a bit tone-deaf for such a major star and a major recent tragedy.
Here’s how social media reacted to the event:
Too soon?
😬😬😬😬 https://t.co/KQy2HCm2wt pic.twitter.com/kBW3miBuVo— Cameron Peters (@CamDawg1988) March 9, 2025
https://t.co/iwPcogdlDr pic.twitter.com/ke1cGWSACP
— Jalen Quest (@da_boi_justin) March 9, 2025
https://t.co/rTNMlsTD91 pic.twitter.com/4QDSt0HRbz
— Jax Teller (@jaxteller_KY) March 9, 2025
https://t.co/rmk8nPTbC5 pic.twitter.com/TJJxvJ3ZPp
— Seth Tow (@SethTow) March 9, 2025
— Jason Jacobs (@jacojas) March 9, 2025
SHAME on @LisaByington https://t.co/Elk6mzH2tv
— John (@AZCapsFan) March 9, 2025
https://t.co/8zaWJOKIiT pic.twitter.com/ERhuHcEDat
— Josh (@jetsfan24x7) March 9, 2025
Yikes 🤨 https://t.co/JMPUnqVNLg
— Jaja (@thejajaera) March 9, 2025
You have to be kidding. https://t.co/V3ymJlAPxG
— Jason Grefer (@JasonGrefer) March 9, 2025
In reality it’s an innocent comment that happens to be poorly timed because of real world issues.
In sports, sometimes people spend so much time researching and diving deep into sports that they forget about the real world. https://t.co/bds67xQ2iX— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) March 9, 2025
Byington’s comment, unfortunately (briefly) overshadowed what was a fantastic game between the LA rivals. UCLA completed the major second-half comeback to take down the Trojans, 72-67, to win the B1G Tournament.