Boston Celtics reporter Amanda Pflugrad has slammed the relentless speculation on social media about the identity of the female employee who had an “inappropriate” relationship with coach Ime Udoka.
Udoka was handed a year’s ban by the team this week – as well as a “significant fine” after “multiple conduct violations” – but a decision was made to keep the name of the woman involved private.
Some have claimed this has fueled unfair speculation online and implicated several innocent women in the rumours, and a point reiterated by Pflugrad – herself a Celtics employee.
Amanda Pflugrad (right) is a Celtics reporter who has been implicated in online rumors
Ime Udoka was banned for the season for being in a relationship with an unnamed collaborator
“As a woman of the Celtics organization it has been heartbreaking to watch these final few days,” she wrote on Twitter on Friday.
“It’s disgusting to see the names of unrelated people, including mine, being thrown around in the media. This is a step backwards for women in sport who have worked hard to prove themselves in an industry where they deserve it.’
Alongside the post, she added, “It’s time to speak out on this matter and to my female colleagues, I see you and I’m always here #womeninsports.”
In recent days, fans have taken to social media to find out the woman’s identity, with various conspiracy theories being widely circulated.
This has unsurprisingly resulted in the reputation of various innocent parties being tarnished, and Stephen A. Smith is among those urging the team to share more information.
Pflugrad has slammed the “heartbreaking” and “disgusting” rumors floating around online
She is one of many female employees at the organization who have been implicated
“At this particular point in time … Ime Udoka is a non-rentable person,” he said on his ESPN First Take show. “But the unsaleable part, I would argue, is primarily because the story was leaked and we are now discussing it publicly.
“The woman who has chosen to have a consensual relationship with him does not offend him [of team policy]? He is mentioned and put on Front Street – we don’t know who she is.
“What about the other women in the Celtics organization who have been victims because of wrong assumptions being made? [about] your engagement? If you knew exactly who it was, it would allay the concerns of all the other women whose names were floating around on the streets. What’s up with them?’
According to The Athletic, some members of the Celtics found out about Udoka’s relationship in July and team leaders were initially tricked into believing the relationship was consensual.
Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck has been tough on his suspended head coach
Boston Celtics head coach Udoka pictured with his longtime fiancee, actress Nia Long
However, sources told the publication that the woman recently accused Udoka of making unwanted comments towards her, prompting the team to launch internal interviews.
Speaking to the media on Friday, team president Brad Stevens and Grousbeck strongly rebuked the now-suspended Udoka, noting that only he “is at risk of a penalty or reprimand.”
According to Grousbeck, the organization’s players are “very concerned” about the situation.
“We believe our culture is very strong,” he added. “We are very proud of this. But that shook it. I don’t think there is a bigger problem than what we have been uncovering for several months.’
Stephen A. Smith was very upset with how the Celtics handled Udoka’s reported affair
Boston’s assistant Joe Mazzulla will serve as interim coach for the upcoming season
Smith was critical of Grousbeck’s handling of the situation and made it clear on First Take.
“I’m not going to rehash what was said but it was very, very alarming, highly one sided and as far as I’m concerned based on that press conference at the moment there is no reason in the world why I Udoka is still the head coach of the Boston Celtics, albeit suspended,” he said.
Joe Mazulla, a 34-year-old who served as Celtics assistant last year, will be the caretaker manager for the 2022-23 season.