Pepper Persley uncovered her passion for sports journalism at the age of six years old. After interviewing then-Liberty guard Sugar Rodgers, Pepper discovered the opportunity to combine her love for the game of basketball and her commitment to highlighting WNBA players’ voices through thought-provoking, candid, and insightful interviews. She hasn’t looked back since. At just nine years old, Pepper has fostered an amazing personal brand in the industry and has conducted a series of powerful interviews with players and sports professionals across the league. From her show, “Dish with Pepper,” to her podcast and blog series with The Next and NetsRepublic.com respectively, Pepper has taken the WNBA by storm. Not only has she highlighted the importance of being fearless and relentless in the pursuit of one’s dreams, but she has also reminded the world that age is nothing but a number. Her maturity, drive, passion, and genuine love for the game is remarkable. As she continues to leave her mark on sports journalism, Pepper is looking forward to shining light on the voices of more sports professionals in women’s basketball, and is excited to pursue her dreams of one day playing in the WNBA as well. It’s safe to say that the world better watch out, because Pepper is just getting started and she is incredible!
When did you discover that sports journalism was an area you wanted to pursue full force?
I think it has always been on my list—along with being and playing in the WNBA. I see people like Meghan (McPeak), I hear her voice on broadcasts (during) Mystics games and I’m like, “I can do that. You know, she looks like me and I can be just like her.” It is people like that who pave the way for me to be able to have the inspiration and the ability to believe that I can be in the space.
Let’s dive right into your personal brand! How was that experience like of creating your personal brand in the industry and really immersing yourself in the world of sports?
That’s a really good question. I think the reason I wanted to have my own brand was because I wanted to highlight the voices of WNBA players—especially this season with what they are doing in social activism with the “Say Her Name” campaign. I just wanted to highlight that. Before I created my @dishwithpepper Instagram page, I knew very little about social media so I didn’t really know that was an option—where I could put my voice and the voices of WNBA players and coaches out there. When I found that out I was like, “Yes! This is perfect.” So I started my own show during quarantine, “Dish with Pepper,” mainly to bring a smile to people’s faces because I knew quarantine was tough. That was really all where it started. It just branched out to contacting the WNBA PR (team) and getting into their PR list to interview their players, and also getting two jobs with The Next—I have my podcast with them called “She Got Next”—along with several articles and a video with NetsRepublic.com. I feel like I just wanted to highlight the WNBA players’ voices and bring a smile to people’s faces, that’s really where it started.
First, let’s start with the WNBA. What has this experience been like for you of being able to cover all of the teams this season?
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