WNBA Commissioner Makes Blunt Admission About Controversial Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Message

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has found herself in hot water following controversial remarks she made about the rivalry between young basketball superstars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The controversy erupted after Engelbert’s appearance on CNBC’s *Power Lunch* on Monday, September 9, where she was asked to comment on how the rivalry between Clark and Reese had “taken a darker turn” by introducing race into the conversation. The host, Tyler Mathisen, inquired about the fan exchanges on social media, many of which had turned hateful, and how Engelbert intended to address the issue.

Instead of directly condemning the racist undertones and hate speech present in the discourse, Engelbert’s response focused on the commercial potential of rivalries. She implied that these types of intense rivalries were good for business, without addressing the more serious racial and social implications of the situation. This response was met with swift backlash from fans, players, and pundits alike, many of whom found her comments tone-deaf and dismissive of the harmful rhetoric surrounding the two young athletes.

In the days following the interview, the criticism intensified, and Engelbert was forced to address the issue publicly. On Friday, she sent a letter of apology to all WNBA players, acknowledging her failure to properly address the seriousness of the situation. In her letter, Engelbert stated, “I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I’m sorry.” She expressed regret over not explicitly condemning the hateful and toxic language that had become part of the conversation surrounding Clark and Reese.

Engelbert went on to admit that her initial response lacked clarity and failed to address the gravity of the issue, particularly regarding racism and hate speech. “I should have stated directly and unequivocally that hate speech is harmful,” she wrote. “This is a teachable moment and one I embrace with humility. There is absolutely no room for racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere.”

In her letter, Engelbert also acknowledged that many WNBA players had been dealing with this type of abuse for a long time, and she vowed to use her platform to help combat the toxic culture of social media. “I want us as a league to do our part to change the too often toxic and abusive nature of social media discourse,” she concluded.

The fallout from Engelbert’s comments highlights the importance of addressing sensitive issues such as race and hate speech with care and clarity, especially in the context of professional sports. The WNBA, as a league that has long championed diversity and inclusion, cannot afford to ignore or downplay the negative impact that racialized and hateful language has on its players and fans.

Moving forward, Engelbert’s apology and acknowledgment of her misstep offer an opportunity for the WNBA to lead the way in promoting a more respectful and supportive environment for athletes. However, the league will need to back up these words with meaningful action to address and combat the toxic behavior that persists in online spaces and beyond.