THE WNBA The players’ union and several players are calling out Commissioner Kathy Engelbert for not taking a stronger stance against the racism and hate speech that many have experienced this season, particularly on social media.
The problem became more acute with the arrival of recruits Caitlin Clarkwhich is white and Angel Reesewho is black – with a number of fans and commentators taking sides along racial lines.
In an interview Monday on CNBC, host Tyler Mathisen asked Engelbert about the “darker…more menacing” tone of the social media discussion.
Engelbert’s response focused more on the added exposure the two rookies brought to the WNBA.
“The one thing I know about sports is that you need rivalry,” Engelbert said. “That’s what makes people watch. They want to see big games between rivals. They don’t want everybody to be nice to everybody else.”
National Women’s Basketball Players Association executive director Terri Jackson criticized the commissioner for not addressing the issues of racism, misogyny and harassment more forcefully.
“This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities fueling a business model,” Jackson said in a statement released Tuesday night. “This kind of toxic fandom should never be tolerated or left unchecked. It demands immediate action and, frankly, is long overdue.”
Engelbert clarified her comments in a social media post later Tuesday. “To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else,” she posted on X.
Before that, however, several WNBA players expressed disappointment with the commissioner’s earlier remarks.
“It’s pretty clear, there’s a difference between rivalries and racism,” said the Las Vegas Aces goalie. Kelsey Plum said, according to ESPN.
“It’s taken a darker turn in terms of the types of comments and vitriol that’s coming at the players, and it’s not acceptable,” Aces forward Alysha Clark said. “I wish Engelbert would just say that. ‘It’s not acceptable.’”
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: WNBA commissioner faces criticism for downplaying racism, hate speech
