The WNBA on Wednesday issued a statement blasting fans for “racist” behavior and vowing to “monitor” them in the stands — and even call the police — after Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas went on a tirade against “racial comments” during her team’s two playoff games against the Indiana Fever.
I think in my 11-year career, I’ve never experienced the racial comments [like] from the Indiana Fever fan base. It’s unacceptable, honestly, and there’s no place for it. We’ve been professional throughout the whole entire thing, but I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it. Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial things.
It should be noted that while some players claimed they have suffered “death threats,” neither the WNBA nor any particular team has released any examples of such threats.
The statement reads, in full (emphasis, mine):
The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league. League security is actively monitoring threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures, including involving law enforcement, as necessary.
Um… what about referees refusing to protect some players from other players?
As one irate fan wrote on X, “Is this a JOKE??!!!?? Why? Two words: Caitlin Clark.
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The Indiana Fever rookie sensation, the WNBA’s top draft pick in 2024, who also ran away with “Rookie of the Year” honors, endured a season of blatant fouls, including at least one black eye. In fact, here’s an “interesting” stat: 17 percent of the league’s flagrant fouls were committed against Clark, with the Chicago Sky responsible for 80 percent of them.
Is it just me, or does Diamond DeShields (#0) appear to be smugly smiling?
Needless to say, social media users and WNBA fans didn’t take kindly to the WNBA calling them racists, with many hopping on the league’s X page to to blast the threatening statement and blatant hypocrisy.
Let the Fun Begin
The backlash, most of it spot-on and all of it deserved, couldn’t have been more predictable.
One fan pointed to “bizarro world” and admonished the WNBA to do better.
It’s like bizarro world Jackie Robinson here but with women and the white person getting discriminated against by intolerant LGBTQ+ bigots on the field! We all see it. Do better!
Perfect analogy.
“What about on-court attacks? No blood no foul?” asked one fan.
This Fever fan indirectly referenced the abuse suffered by Clark throughout the season.
They wait until….you know what, nevermind.
This is pathetic.
Should’ve been said about *checks notes* ….4 months ago.
Exactly, and I’m pretty sure that most of us have opinions about why it didn’t happen.
Finally, the fan who posted “Is this a JOKE??!!!??
Is this a JOKE??!!!??
You are more concerned about comments than about the blatant attacks on the only star player you have that is bringing fans to the games
You are pathetic
These attacks on Caitlin Clark should be stopped with enforced severe penalties against the attackers
Yes, Yes, Yes, and Yes — unquestionably so.
The Bottom Line
I’ll argue that in Caitlin Clark’s first season, she singlehandedly saved the WNBA. Prior to her much-heralded arrival, the struggling league couldn’t draw a big enough crowd for a good game of chess. Now when the Fever plays away games, opposing teams often move to larger venues.
While the WNBA absurdly accuses its much-needed fans of racism and derogatory behavior, it better pay at least as much attention to — and take actions against — players who can’t control their petty jealously and blatant abuse against the best acquisition, for multiple reasons, to come along in league history.
