CBS Sports apologizes to USC’s Dawn Staley after radio remark about Kamilla Cardoso

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley used her social media platform Thursday morning to call out an offensive description of Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso during a radio show.

Staley’s post drew national and local attention and led to prompt apologies from all parties involved, including the host who made the comment.

“What a morning?!! Never thought I’d hear one of my players described in such an offensive way,” Staley wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m not sitting this one out. Kamilla deserves an apology @CBSSports @1075thegame (can be issued even though it’s out of your control).”

JR Jackson, host of the “JRSportsBrief Show” for CBS Sports Radio, said the following on Thursday morning about Cardoso on a CBS Sports Minute clip that was broadcast during a commercial break on 107.5 The Game, a local affiliate:

“March Madness is upon us, Selection Sunday is only a few days away and we even have teams that have won their conference tournaments and even have automatic bids.

“But if I’m being honest, I’m more excited for the women’s tournament. I’m ready for Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and the giant Brazilian woman from South Carolina that knocks people over.”

“Forget the guys. Where are the women? I’m ready.”

Jackson’s comment was in reference to the late-game scuffle between South Carolina and LSU in the SEC Tournament championship game Sunday, where the 6-foot-7 Cardoso was ejected for pushing LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson to the ground after Johnson pushed Cardoso’s teammate Ashlyn Watkins. Members of both teams’ benches were also ejected.

Cardoso, a first team All-SEC performer in her third season with the Gamecocks, will reportedly miss USC’s first NCAA Tournament game as a result of her ejection.

Both 107.5 The Game and CBS Sports apologized within about 20 minutes, Staley said publicly in replies to her original social media post. The local radio station issued written and on-air apologies, while CBS Sports executives personally apologized, Staley wrote.

107.5 posted the following apology:

“Coach you have every right to be upset. We as a CBS affiliate do not control what plays in their sports minutes and we certainly don’t condone what was said. We try and treat all women’s sports with the upmost respect. It’s unfortunate some national voices don’t. (1/2)

(2/2) Even though it was not one of our voices that said this, we are ultimately responsible for what plays on our airways and we will work to make sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen again. We sincerely apologize to you, Kamilla and your entire team.”

Staley replied “Accepted with love and understanding,” with three praying hand emojis.

Later Thursday, Jackson, the host who made the comment, posted an apology on social media.

“This morning on an Audacy Sports Minute, as I was sharing my excitement for this year’s Women’s NCAA Tournament and watching some of the game’s brightest stars, I referred to University of South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso by only her height and ethnicity.”

I genuinely regret my words, and I sincerely apologize to Kamilla, her family and the University of South Carolina. She deserves better, I will learn from this and be better going forward.”

Jackson is an employee of Audacy, an audio production and broadcasting company that produces short “Sports Minute” segments for CBS Sports.

Staley spotlights physicality narratives

Jackson’s comments played into a narrative about South Carolina’s physicality that Staley expressed concern over earlier in the week on her radio call-in show.

“I just don’t want the narrative,” Staley said Tuesday in response to questions over officiating concerns heading into the NCAA Tournament. “We had another coach speak on our team last year, heading into the NCAA Tournament. …It was a bit much (Sunday). It was a bit much in the Final Four.”

Staley also called out national media and Iowa coach Lisa Bluder after last year’s Final Four loss for their comments on USC’s style of play.

“We’re not bar fighters,” Staley said. “We’re not thugs. We’re not monkeys. We’re not street fighters. I do think that that’s sometimes brought into the game, and it hurts.”

Before their Final Four matchup, Bluder said someone described rebounding against South Carolina to her as “going to a bar fight.” Earlier in the season, UConn coach Geno Auriemma make comments about South Carolina’s physicality in February after losing to the Gamecocks.

USC (32-0) went undefeated for a second straight regular season in 2023-24 and swept the SEC regular season and tournament titles earlier this month. The Gamecocks will be the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA women’s bracket reveal, which is set for 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN, and host opening round games in Columbia next week.