WNBA players, WNBPA say Cathy Engelbert’s comments about Clark-Reese rivalry were ‘misstep’
Several WNBA players and WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson on Tuesday criticized WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert over Engelbert’s comments earlier this week about the toxicity created by the alleged rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
The backlash came after Engelbert was asked explicitly during an appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” on Monday how the WNBA tries to “stay ahead of” or handle feelings about Clark and Reese involving some “very unkind things about the other,” and specifically about comments online that “have taken a darker turn, a more threatening turn, bringing race into the conversation, bringing sexuality into the conversation sometimes.”
“The one thing that’s great about the league right now is that we’re at this intersection of culture, sports, fashion and music,” Engelbert said. “The WNBA players are really seen as sort of cultural icons now. And when you have that, you have a lot of attention focused on you. … It’s kind of that Bird Magic moment, if you remember, from 1979. When those two rookies came in from a great college rivalry, one white, one black. And so we have that moment with those two.
“But the one thing I know about sports is that you need rivalry. That’s what keeps people watching. They want to see big games between rivals. They don’t want everyone being nice to each other.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on the toxicity stemming from the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry. It seems to me that the WNBA media continuing to berate the fans is counter to what the commissioner wants. Let me know what you think. #WNBA #feverrising
Full… photo.twitter.com/N67HN0n6Vn
— Ken Swift (@kenswift) September 9, 2024
Jackson wrote in response to Engelbert’s comments that the commissioner erred in not providing a more definitive answer “to the very clear question about the racism, misogyny and intimidation experienced by the players.”
Jackson said there is “absolutely no place in sports — or in life — for the vile hate, racist language, homophobic slurs and misogynistic attacks” that players receive on social media. “This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities feeling like a business model,” Jackson added in the WNBPA statement Tuesday. “This type of toxic fandom should never be tolerated or left unchecked.”
When discussing Clark and Reese’s fans, Jackson said that “fandom should elevate the game, not tear down the people who bring it to life.”
On Tuesday evening, Engelbert clarified her comments on CNBC in a message on X: “To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else.”
Jackson’s statement Tuesday was the latest response from key WNBA figures to Engelbert’s comments.
Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington shared a GIF on X expressing her displeasure and calling Engelbert’s comments “kind of a gaffe” when she spoke to reporters before the Sun’s game on Tuesday.
“There was a silver lining to just deal with it,” Carrington said. “You obviously can’t control what people are going to say, what people are going to do, what people are going to tweet. You can’t control social media. But that has nothing to do with what you can do and use your voice and your platform to try to stop it.
“Or just to say, this is not the type of behavior that we as a league condone. And as the commissioner who has probably 90 percent black people or people who identify as black in some way in the league, I think it was an eye-opener because the things that we’ve all witnessed this season have been pretty disgusting.”
— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) September 10, 2024
Las Vegas Aces center Queen Egbo wrote on X: “It’s like… there’s no way she said that?¿…”
Other members of the Aces also appeared to express their disappointment on social media.
—Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) September 10, 2024
Sweet. Baby. Jesus. photo.twitter.com/2RKjsmpojP
— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) September 10, 2024
“We want our sport to be inclusive of race, inclusive of gender, and really a place where people can be themselves,” New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart said. “So we obviously wish Cathy had used her platform in a different way and made it a little bit better, just telling the fans that enough is enough.”
Reese’s teammate, Chicago Sky forward Brianna Turner, wrote on X: “I stand against all forms of discrimination, hatred and prejudice, especially when it comes to sports. The intersection of racism and sports must always be rejected. No platform is too big or too small to stand up for what is right. No excuses.”
The WNBA has seen a surge in interest this season, with Clark and Reese participating in the most-watched game in more than 20 years. Conversation about the two rookies has extended far beyond their on-court production this season. Politicians, athletes, media personalities and even editorial staffs have weighed in on the debates about one or both of the first-year players.
Last week, Reese said she doesn’t believe Clark has any hatred toward her, or any hatred toward the Fever star. However, she did admit to feeling a lack of respect from some of Clark’s supporters. “Sometimes it’s very disrespectful. I think there’s a lot of racism when it comes down to it,” Reese said on her podcast. “And I don’t think she stands for that.”
Earlier this season, Clark condemned the use of her name to promote agendas of racism and misogyny, calling it “disappointing” and “unacceptable.”
“Everyone in our world deserves equal respect,” Clark said in June. “The women in our league deserve equal respect, so people shouldn’t use my name to push those agendas.
“This league is a league that I’ve always admired and wanted to be a part of as a kid. Some of the women in this league were my biggest idols and role models growing up and helped me get to this moment where I get to play every night, so treating every woman in this league with the same amount of respect is a fundamental human thing that everyone should do. Treat them the way you want to be treated. I think it’s really simple.”
Both Clark and Reese have had historic rookie seasons. Clark entered the league as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She’s averaging a rookie-best 19.2 points per game this season and ranks third in scoring (24.7) and first in assists (9.3) among all players since the All-Star break. Reese, the seventh pick, was leading the league in rebounds per game (13.1) before suffering a wrist injury on Friday that will leave her missing the rest of the season.
The AthleticsSabreena Merchant contributed to this story.
(Photo: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
