WNBA investigating racial slurs by
fans made at Angel Reese during Indiana game, AP source says
[May 19, 2025]
By DOUG FEINBERG
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is investigating racial comments directed
toward Angel Reese by fans during the Chicago Sky’s loss to Caitlin
Clark and the Fever at Indiana on Saturday, according to a person
familiar with the situation.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of
anonymity because the league had not publicly identified the subject
of the taunts or who made the allegations.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all
forms — they have no place in our league or in society,” the league
said in a statement. “We are aware of the allegations and are
looking into the matter.”
Reese, who is Black, and Clark, who is white, met for the seventh
time in their ongoing — and much-talked-about — rivalry. Clark was
named Rookie of the Year last season and Reese finished second in
the voting.
The WNBA Players Union released a statement soon after the league’s
comment on the matter.
“The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday’s
game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation
into this matter. Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport,” the
statement said. “Under the WNBA’s ‘No Space for Hate’ policy, we
trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift,
appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for
all.”
Sky president and CEO Adam Fox said later Sunday in a statement that
the organization welcomes the league's investigation.
“We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players,
and we encourage the league to continue taking meaningful steps to
create a safe environment for all WNBA players,” he said.
The Sky and Fever will play four more times during the regular
season.
“We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during
yesterday’s game and we are working closely with the WNBA to
complete their investigation,” the Fever said in a statement. “We
stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all
WNBA players.”
[to top of second column] |
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shoots during a WNBA basketball game
against the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 17, 2025.
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the 93-58
loss to the Fever. The Sky forward and Clark had an incident on the
court with 4:38 left in the third quarter. It started with Reese
grabbing an offensive rebound and Clark slapping Reese’s arm hard
enough to jar the ball loose and knock Reese to floor.
When Reese got up, she tried to confront Clark
before Indiana center Aliyah Boston stepped in between the players.
Clark’s third personal foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, while
Boston and Reese each drew technical fouls following a replay review
by the referees.
Both players downplayed the play after the game.
The league launched “No Space for Hate” this season, a
multi-dimensional platform designed to combat hate and promote
respect across all WNBA spaces both online and in arenas.
The league is focused on four areas: enhanced technological features
to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena
and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources;
and alignment against hate.
This will be the league's first test of it.
“It's nice in words, but we got to see actions,” Aces star A'ja
Wilson said Friday after practice. “Hopefully people can take
actions and understand this is bigger than basketball. We're true
people behind it. Any shoe that we wear, any jersey we have on,
we're human. People have to respect that. I hope they pay attention
and listen to the words.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
