Players and the WNBA Players Association alike have reacted to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's comments about the dark side of the rivalry between Kaitlyn Clark and Angel Reese.
The accusation came after Engelbert appeared on CNBC's “Power Lunch” on Monday and dodged a question about the sour relationship between Clark and Reese's fans.
Engelbert responded to a CNBC question about some fans “taking a darker turn,” but didn't address that topic, instead rambling on about the WNBA's new place at the “intersection of culture, sports, fashion and music.”
“WNBA players are really seen as cultural icons now,” Engelbert says. “And when that happens, it gets noticed. There's no indifference, everybody's interested. If you think back to 1979, it's a little like the Bird-Magic moment. Two rookies come in from rival college schools, one white, one black, and they both have their moment.”
“But one thing I know about sports is that you need rivalries. That's why people watch. People want to see important games between rivals. Not everyone wants to be nice to each other.”
Players from Liberty star Breanna Stewart to Reese herself responded to the comments, and WNBPA executive director Terry Jackson released a statement sharply criticizing the commissioner.
“Honestly, I saw the interview today and I've talked to Terry from the WNBPA since then, and I think it's unfortunate,” Stewart told reporters on Tuesday night after New York's win over the Dallas Wings. “The fans are excited, especially with Kaitlyn and Angel coming into this league, but it takes the racial aspect to another level. There's no room for that in our sport, and I think that's really where it is. We want sports to be a place where people can be themselves, regardless of race or gender.”
“I wish Kathy had used her position in a different way and made it a little better. We just need to tell our fans enough is enough. Be a fan of our sport and take note of all the new fans, but don't be disrespectful. We are united as a league and that kind of thing will not be tolerated.”
The WNBA has had to deal with a huge surge in attention this season with the arrival of Clark and Reese in professional women's basketball, but with that attention has come some downsides.
Rees recently spoke about the “racism” she'd received from Clarke's fans on her podcast, saying one fan had even followed her home.
“The vile, hateful, racist, homophobic and misogynistic attacks against players have no place in sports or in life,” Jackson said in a statement.
“Toxic fandom like this should never be tolerated or allowed to continue unchecked,” she said.
Reese appeared to respond to the WNBPA's statement in an X post.
“I love you Dr. Teri Carmichael Jackson! Mommy, @nnekaogwumike, you're on duty!” Reese wrote.
Nneka Ogwumike, who plays for the Seattle Storm, is the WNBPA president.
Engelbart posted on X late Thursday night to clarify his comments.
“In recent media interviews, I was asked about the darker side of social media and online conversations regarding WNBA rivalries and race,” she wrote. “To be clear, there is absolutely no tolerance for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else.”
