The 2024 WNBA season was the most successful in league history.
With the arrival of rookies such as Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, the league saw its viewership and attention skyrocket.
But some of these new fans have been harassing WNBA players throughout the year.
Thomas’ comments, along with Clark’s interaction with a fan, which had her call security during the game, sparked the WNBA to send out its own post toward fans who have been saying these “racist, derogatory, or threatening comments” about its players. This led ESPN’s Andraya Carter to voice her opinion on the matter as well.
Reese took notice of the WNBA and ESPN’s late response and blasted them on social media for not taking action sooner.
“Y’all know i’ve been going through this for the last 2 years but was told ‘save the tears’ & ‘stop playing victim,'” Reese wrote on X. “Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started….”
Y’all know i’ve been going through this for the last 2 years but was told “save the tears” & “stop playing victim”. Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started…. https://t.co/EuMfYtzgSA
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 26, 2024
As Reese said, she has been dealing with stuff like this for a couple of years now. For her, it likely started when the LSU Tigers defeated Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2023 National Championship.
With many players coming forward at the end of the season about being harassed, all signs point to Clark’s fans as the instigators. It took the league until after Clark and the Fever were eliminated to address the situation.
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Clark and Reese both proved to be key players for the WNBA’s future during their rookie season, whether it is on the court or the attention they bring in. Both All-Stars exceeded expectations and broke many records in the process. Despite the outside noise, the WNBA is in good hands.
