WNBA players and union speak out against commissioner Cathy Engelbert after she failed to condemn fan racism
WNBA players and their union spoke out against commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s recent comments that failed to condemn racist and bitter criticism from fans toward the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is facing criticism from the league’s players union after she failed to condemn fan racism surrounding the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese on-court rivalry.
WNBA players and their union spoke out against commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s recent comments on a TV show that failed to condemn racist and bitter criticism from fans toward the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry.
Engelbert, who’s from Collingswood, made an appearance on CNBC’s Power Lunch on Monday and was asked by anchor Tyler Mathisen about what he called the “darker” tone taken by fan bases on social media that brings race and sometimes sexuality into the conversation.
“How do you try and stay ahead of that, try and tamp it down or act as a league when two of your most visible players are involved — not personally, it would seem, but their fan bases are involved — in saying some very uncharitable things about the other?” Mathisen asked.
Engelbert responded by saying: “There’s no more apathy. Everybody cares. It is a little of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall from 1979, when those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one Black. And so we have that moment with these two.
“But the one thing I know about sports, you need rivalry. That’s what makes people watch. They want to watch games of consequence between rivals. They don’t want everybody being nice to one another.”
» READ MORE: The Caitlin Clark discussion got really loud and a little nutty. Let’s get real about it. And about her. | Mike Sielski
WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson issued a statement Tuesday disagreeing with Engelbert’s comments.
“Here is the answer that the Commissioner should have provided to the very clear question regarding the racism, misogyny, and harassment experienced by the Players: There is absolutely no place in sport — or in life — for the vile hate, racist language, homophobic comments, and the misogynistic attacks our players are facing on social media,” the statement said.
The union statement went on to say that fandom should “lift up the game, not tear down the very people who bring it to life.”
A Statement from the Executive Director pic.twitter.com/CDRAgnwa5y
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) September 11, 2024
Clark and Reese have brought new attention to the WNBA this season with attendance and ratings soaring. The pair have been rivals on the court since their college days, when LSU topped Iowa in the national championship game in 2023.
Union vice president Breanna Stewart was disappointed in Engelbert’s initial comments.
“To be honest, I saw the interview today, and have been in talks with Terri at the WNBPA,” Stewart said after a win over the Dallas Wings. “I think that it’s kind of disappointing to hear because the way that the fans have surged, especially behind Caitlin and Angel coming to this league, but also bringing, like, a race aspect, to a different level.
“And you know, there’s no place for that in our sport. I think that’s really what it is. We want our sport to be inclusive for race, for gender, and really a place where people can be themselves. So we wish, obviously, Cathy would have used her platform in a different way and have made that a little bit better, kind of just telling the fans enough is enough.”
Full quote from Breanna Stewart:
"To be honest, I saw the interview today, and since then have been in talks with Terri at the WNBPA. I think that it's disappointing to hear, because the way that the fans have surged, especially behind Caitlin and Angel coming to this league,… https://t.co/FT8A1Lb5g1
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) September 11, 2024
News
Caitlin Clark – Fever rookie asks question that makes WNBA stars “heartbroken”.
CAITLIN Clark has been left frustrated following Wednesday’s clash with the Las Vegas Aces. The Indiana Fever lost just their third game since the summer break on Wednesday at the hands of the reigning WNBA champions, 86-75. Caitlin Clark admitted to some frustration with…
The appearance of “Olympic Gold Medal” refused to cheer A’ja Wilson because of Caitlin Clark.
Tyrese Haliburton may be the biggest fan of the Indiana Fever. Of course, the arrival of Caitlin Clark has certainly boosted the WNBA franchise’s popularity as well as the league. Just recently, Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens were courtside for a…
The goal is to take Caitlin Clark out of every game: Caitlin Clark laments after Indiana Fever’s loss to the Las Vegas Aces. “BRUTALITY” in today’s game. “…disappointed with the referees.” (FULL VIDEO)
Caitlin Clark made her frustration at the referees apparent after the Indiana Fever lost to the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to a call Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge…
What’s the reason? The crazy decision of Las Vegas Aces has made fans crazy because they didn’t get the most anticipated thing in the match between Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces.
On Wednesday night, Caitlin Clark remained winless in the WNBA against her former Iowa Hawkeyes teammate Kate Martin as the Las Vegas Aces defeated the Indiana Fever 86-75. Clark struggled to get things going during the game, scoring just 16 points on 6-of-22 shooting. She also only dished out six…
VIDEO of the worst hit that left Caitlin Clark “collapsed to the ground” in today’s game between the Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces.
Caitlin Clark took a nasty blow to the face after a collision with Jackie Young during the Indiana Fever’s 86-75 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday night. The No 1 overall pick could be seen holding her mouth as she writhed around…
Indiana Fever and Las Vegas Aces Today: Caitlin Clark Shares “A’ja Wilson – Unstoppable.”
Side by side photos of Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark Caitlin Clark says that guarding A’ja Wilson is virtually impossible, and honestly, in her explanation, there wasn’t a single lie. The Indiana Fever host the Las…
End of content
No more pages to load