WNBA players criticize commissioner for downplaying social media vitriol

The WNBA players union and several players are calling out commissioner Kathy Engelbert for not taking a stronger stand against racism and hate speech many have experienced this season, especially on social media.

The issue has become more acute with the arrival of rookies Caitlin Clark, who is white and Angel Reese, who is Black – with a number of fans and commenters taking sides along racial lines.

In an interview Monday on CNBC, Engelbert was asked by host Tyler Mathisen about the "darker ... more menacing" tone of the social media discussion.

Engelbert's answer focused more on the additional visibility the two rookies have given the WNBA.

"The one thing I know about sports, you need rivalry," Engelbert said. "That's what makes people watch. They want to watch games of consequence between rivals. They don't want everybody being nice to one another."




https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2024/09/11/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-criticism-downplaying-racism/75171010007/