WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert refused to condemn abuse by fans supporting Kaitlyn Clark and Angel Reese, but then reversed course.
In a recent interview with CNBC, Engelbert was asked about the intense online abuse between both fan bases, which frequently escalates into racist and sexist slurs.
Engelbert said he feels the rivalry between Reese and Clark is healthy for the league.
“Well, the great thing about the league right now is that we sit at the intersection of culture, sports, fashion and music. WNBA players, for example, are now really seen as cultural icons,” she replied. “And when that happens, attention comes. There's no indifference anymore. Everybody cares.”
“But one thing I know about sports is that you need rivalries,” she continued. “People watch because they want to see an important game between rivals. They don't want everyone to be nice to each other.”
This was distasteful to players like WNBA star Breanna Stewart, who criticized the commissioner for not using the question as an opportunity to condemn online racism.
“I was asked questions about the dark side of WNBA rivalries and social media and race and, simply put, my answers were off the mark and I am sorry.”
“I regret not clearly and unequivocally condemning the hateful rhetoric directed at WNBA players on social media. This is a teaching moment that I am humbled by. There is absolutely no place for racism, misogyny, homophobia or any other form of hatred in the WNBA or anywhere.”
“I know many of you have been working on this issue for a long time, and we as a league want to do our part to change the harmful and abusive nature of social media discourse that too often occurs.”
This suggestion seemed to appease Stewart, and he responded favorably.
Breitbart's Warner Todd Houston points out:
“Much of the left-leaning sports media has raised the alarm about 'racism and homophobia' from fans who have flooded social media with attacks on black and lesbian players in response to their continued attempts to physically harm white heterosexual player Caitlin Clark. They claim that the rise in heated rhetoric has left many black players feeling 'threatened' and that the safety of their personal lives is at risk.”
Naturally, these leftists in the sports media are completely ignoring why so many people are targeting black players, and the media is acting as if WNBA fans have suddenly turned into foaming-at-the-mouth haters.
“Most of these attacks by fans would not have occurred if a growing number of WNBA players and celebrities, including Angel Reese, Chennedy Carter and former player Sheryl Swoopes, had not done everything in their power to tear down Clark on and off the court and to inflict physical and emotional harm on her.”
“These so-called 'racist' fans are not launching attacks out of nowhere. They are reacting to what they perceive as unfair, even harmful, treatment of Clark.”
“Still, provocation aside – and critics have ignored it – it's no excuse for spewing racist and homophobic rhetoric.”
