WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert She walked back her comments earlier this week, where she did not address the abusive words and actions of Caitlin Clark And Angel Reese Fans.
Engelbert recently appeared on CNBC and was asked about online discourse that escalated into racial and sexist abuse. The commissioner apparently sidestepped the question, focusing on the “rivalry” between the two recruits and talking about how both players should “ignore” these fans.
The Commissioner’s responses – and subsequent responses follow-up tweet trying to clarify his comments — did not please Breanna Stewart and other players across the league. According to Rachel Bachman of The Wall Street JournalEngelbert apologized Friday in a letter to players. Here’s an excerpt of what she said:
“I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer fell short, and I apologize.”
“I regret not expressing, clearly and definitively, my condemnation of the hateful rhetoric that is too often directed at WNBA players on social media. This is a teaching moment that I accept with humility. There is absolutely no place for racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere else.”
“I know many of you have been struggling with this issue for a long time. I want us as a league to do our part to change the too often toxic and abusive nature of the discourse on social media.”
NEW: The WNBA’s stellar season has had a downside: an increase in racial slurs toward players online.
The problem finally came to light this week.
Today, the commissioner sent an email of apology to all WNBA players.https://t.co/4KpV6gQaVd
— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) September 13, 2024
According to Jackie Powell of The NextStewart seemed receptive to Engelbert’s apology and even spoke with the commissioner on the phone.
I spoke to Breanna Stewart today and got her reaction to the letter Cathy Engelbert sent to all players following her comments on CNBC.
Engelbert also called Stewart on Wednesday, the day after Stewart responded to Engelbert’s comments during a postgame news conference Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/c6ElHhEEfH
— Jackie Powell (she/her) (@ClassicJpow) September 14, 2024
It’s also worth noting that Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) president and Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike also spoke with Engelbert.
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This article was originally published on For The Win: Cathy Engelbert apologizes to WNBA players for not condemning abusive fans of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese
