The WNBA mentioned Sunday it’s wanting into allegations of “hateful fan feedback” directed at Angel Reese throughout Saturday’s recreation between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever in Indianapolis after an incident involving Caitlin Clark and Reese.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all kinds — they haven’t any place in our league or in society,” the league mentioned in an announcement. “We’re conscious of the allegations and are wanting into the matter.”
Within the third quarter of Indiana’s 93-58 win over Chicago, Clark slapped on the ball after Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and had a transparent path to the basket. Reese fell to the court docket, received again up and tried to confront Clark. Fever ahead Aliyah Boston received between them. Clark’s foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, and Reese and Boston had been assessed technical fouls.
Reese was booed by followers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse all through the sport, however the quantity elevated throughout her ensuing foul pictures.
Reese declined to remark Sunday by means of a consultant.
“We welcome the WNBA’s investigation of allegations of fan misconduct throughout our first recreation of the season. We are going to do every part in our energy to guard Chicago Sky gamers, and we encourage the league to proceed taking significant steps to create a secure surroundings for all WNBA gamers,” Sky CEO and president Adam Fox mentioned in an announcement.
The gamers’ affiliation additionally inspired the league to research.
“The WNBPA is conscious of experiences of hateful feedback at yesterday’s recreation in Indianapolis and helps the WNBA’s present investigation into this matter,” the Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation mentioned in an announcement. “Such conduct is unacceptable in our sport. Beneath the WNBA’s ‘No House for Hate’ coverage, we belief the league to totally examine and take swift, applicable motion to make sure a secure and welcoming surroundings for all.”
The WNBA introduced plans for its “No House for Hate” platform Thursday, billing it as a “a multi-dimensional platform designed to fight hate and promote respect throughout all WNBA areas — from on-line discourse to in-arena conduct.”
“We imagine that basketball could be a unifying drive — a spot the place individuals from all walks of life come collectively not simply to observe a recreation, however to attach,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in an announcement final week. “We wish our arenas, and our social platforms crammed with vitality and fandom — not hate and vitriol.”
The Fever mentioned they’re cooperating with the league’s investigation.
“We’re conscious of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct throughout yesterday’s recreation and we’re working carefully with the WNBA to finish their investigation,” Pacers Sports activities & Leisure CEO Mel Raines mentioned in an announcement. “We stand agency in our dedication to offering a secure surroundings for all WNBA gamers.”
Following the sport, Reese and Clark downplayed the incident between them.
“Basketball play,” Reese mentioned. “Refs received it proper. Transfer on.”
“Let’s not make it one thing that it is not,” Clark mentioned. “It was only a good play on the basketball. I am unsure what the ref noticed to improve it, and that is as much as their discretion. It is a take foul to place them on the free throw line. I’ve watched plenty of basketball in my life; that is precisely what it was. I wasn’t making an attempt to do something malicious. That is not the kind of participant I’m.”
