WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert dedicated a portion of her news conference at the league’s All-Star game to addressing ‘harassment’ against players. She said the league will implement ‘next steps’ to address ‘every aspect’ of player experience on and off the court.
Racism and Misogyny in the WNBA
Engelbert stated that ‘the racism, the misogyny, the homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else.’ The issues have intensified in recent weeks, particularly after an incident where Caitlin Clark was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas during a game.
Many fans have raised concerns over suspected racially-charged attacks on Clark and other players, including Aces player Chelsea Gray, who was targeted by an alleged racial insult in an Instagram DM. Critics have suggested Engelbert be fired for her handling of the league’s controversies this season and in recent years.
When asked about player security, Engelbert discussed ‘keyboard warriors’ who send messages to players through DMs and other means. She emphasized the need to communicate more with players on this issue.
Engelbert also announced that the WNBA will implement a full replay center beginning in 2027. However, she did not provide clear answers on making investigations, fines, and suspensions more transparent.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
