They’ve opened an investigation into claims that racist slurs were hurled at Angel Reese during a recent game. The attack occurred on the same day as the Indiana Fever’s season opener against the Chicago Sky. Caitlin Clark was cited for a flagrant-1 foul on Reese, igniting a short-lived spat between the two players.
Caitlin Clark, a white player, and Angel Reese, a Black player, have a history of rivalry that intensified during the game. The foul happened during what was otherwise an utterly dominant performance by the Indiana Fever, who crushed the New York Liberty, 93-58. The incident on the court received widespread news coverage. The crowd’s reaction in the aftermath prompted the WNBA to open an independent investigation into possible racial bias toward Reese. While these comments were not specifically said in relation to Clark’s foul, according to reporters, they certainly gave the impression of being so.
So far, the WNBA has not disclosed any information about the active investigation. They have made no secret of how serious they are about addressing claims of racism.
“The [WNBA] strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms – they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.” – WNBA
The Indiana Fever followed suit, putting out their own statement today emphasizing how serious they take player safety, respect and culture.
“We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.” – Indiana Fever
After the game, Clark tried to dumb the foul down, focusing on how it was just an unfortunate part of blocked shots.
“Let’s not make it something that it’s not. It was just a good play on the basketball… I wasn’t trying to do anything malicious,” she stated.
Reese countered with the same feel, sharing that she simply didn’t view Clark’s moves as cynical. She called the technical foul “a basketball play” and voiced her displeasure that their longstanding rivalry has been made out to be something it’s not.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about race in women’s basketball and the online abuse frequently directed at Black women on the court. Last year, opponents who committed fouls against Clark faced a torrent of online harassment. They were met with racist, sexist, and homophobic statements, highlighting a troubling pattern in the rhetoric surrounding women athletes.
“Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport. 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,” stated the WNBA Players’ Association.
Reese commented on the situation, noting her disappointment over how her name has been used in discussions surrounding these issues.
“People should not be using my name to push those agendas. It’s disappointing. It’s not acceptable,” she remarked.