The WNBA released a statement Wednesday night after players said they received online harassment and death threats during the 2024 playoffs, condemning negative fan behavior, including racist, derogatory and threatening comments.
The league's statement came following a series of events on Wednesday that included SunGard player Di'Jonai Carrington posting on her Instagram Story about receiving threatening emails, Sun forward Alyssa Thomas accusing Fever fans of racist slurs and Fever star Caitlin Clark being ejected after interacting with a fan during the second game of the Sun-Fever first round playoff game.
“While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory or threatening language directed at players, teams or league officials.” The WNBA The statement came after the Sun beat Clark and the Fever to advance to the semi-finals where they will face the Lynx.
“The league's security department is actively monitoring for threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate actions, including involving law enforcement as necessary.”
The whole incident began when Carrington, who was named the WNBA's 2024 Player of the Year on Wednesday, posted an email to her Instagram Story before Wednesday's game that contained racist slurs as well as sexual assault and death threats.
After the Fever's 87-81 loss to the Sun, Indiana forward Nalyssa Smith, who is dating Carrington, The Sun Star said “I received death threats, [and] All types of [s–t].”
Thomas spoke about the situation after the game, saying it was the first time in his 11-year career that he had received racist slurs from Indiana fans.
“It was just a bunch of nonsense, to be honest with you. I don't think I've ever received a racist comment from an Indiana Fever fan in my 11-year career,” Thomas said after the game.
Thomas then pointed a finger at Carrington, pointing out that online trolls had used his face in a meme image of George Floyd, who was killed by Derek Chauvin, a white former police officer.
The image included Clark's face edited over Chauvin's.
Carrington called the match “so awful” at the time and said the Fever “have the worst fans in the W.” X Post.
“To have her face on something so momentous that's happened in this world,” Thomas said of Carrington. “Honestly, it's unacceptable… there's no room for that.”
“We were professional from start to finish and I have never been called anything on social media the way I was called.
“Basketball is going in a great direction, but I'm tired of fans degrading us and calling us racist names. I mean, we already know what's going on in the world and we have to deal with that side of it. We come to work and play basketball, and it's fun, but I'm tired of going to work every day and having social media go viral for stuff like that. It's not fair. They need to check on the fans or this league needs to check on them or something needs to be done. We just don't have time for this anymore.”
Suns coach Stephanie White agreed with Thomas, calling it “unacceptable.”
“We have seen a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia in our country. Sport is no exception and this will not be tolerated,” she said, praising the team's professionalism.
Wednesday's Sun-Fever match was no exception to the fierce criticism.
During the first quarter, Clark got into an altercation with a fan sitting in the second row of courtside seats and complained to a referee, who had security remove the fan from his seat at Mohegan Sun Arena.
It is unclear what exactly was discussed during the exchange.
This isn't the first time players have spoken out about negative treatment this season, after the 2024 WNBA rookie class, led by Clark and Sky star Angel Reese, brought a ton of new fans to the league.
Reese recently accused Clarke's fans of being racist during her podcast, “Unapologetically Angel.”
Following the revelation, former WNBA star Renee Montgomery offered her support for the LSU alum on her podcast.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve also spoke about the ill will and harsh criticism that came with the league's rapid growth and attracting new fans.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert received backlash from players during an interview on CNBC's “Power Lunch” earlier this month when she avoided questions about the “dark” side of social media and its impact on the league's players, particularly Clark and Reese's fan base, and how she would address conversations about racism and sexuality.
At the start of the 2024 season, Clarke said fans were using her to spread racist and negative comments about players.
