The WNBA announced on Sunday the league is investigating alleged racial slurs by followers on the Chicago Sky–Indiana Fever recreation in Indianapolis on Saturday. Studies state the alleged racist taunts have been directed at Sky star participant Angel Reese.
The Fever crushed the Sky within the groups’ season opener, 93-58. The sport heated up within the third quarter when Clark did a tough take foul on Reese to pressure her to the free throw line after Reese shoved a Fever participant to seize a rebound for a straightforward layup. Reese got here after Clark, however was blocked as Clark walked away.
The response to Caitlin Clark’s “flagrant foul” is much more hilarious if you understand Angel Reese shoved someone within the again with 2 fingers to get the rebound. pic.twitter.com/5lPCqjfg1f
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) May 18, 2025
The ESPN clip begins (curious edit selection) proper after Reese shoved Howard out of the best way. Afterward, Reese obtained as much as confront Clark, however Clark turned her again and walked away.
Caitlin Clark obtained a flagrant foul on this play.
Aliyah Boston and Angel Reese obtained offsetting technical fouls. pic.twitter.com/jzQYEW92TW
— ESPN (@espn) May 17, 2025
This angle seems to point out Clark shoving Reese together with her left arm:
This wasn’t a flop, Angel Reese had some extent to react this fashion. I additionally do not imagine it was accomplished maliciously by Caitlin Clark, however it positively was a flagrant foul, as a result of she pushed Angel, clearly. pic.twitter.com/hRLHvfX2DC
— Rashan Reeves (@Babyblack1977) May 18, 2025
One drawback with the WNBA’s investigation is that there seems to be no proof of any racial slurs. No video has been produced as of but, nor have any gamers or coaches mentioned they heard them.
Fever star participant Caitlin Clark instructed reporters Tuesday she didn’t hear any racism on the recreation.
Caitlin Clark says she didn’t hear the alleged racist feedback directed at Angel Reese throughout Fever vs. Sky however helps the WNBA’s investigation. pic.twitter.com/aJ4qS1KlhQ
— The Related Press (@AP) May 20, 2025
Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh additionally instructed reporters Tuesday nobody on the Sky heard any racist taunts.
Tyler Marsh says the Sky weren’t conscious of any hate speech through the recreation and solely came upon studies from social media. the WNBA investigation is predicated on social media studies pic.twitter.com/5fQz5dKjvZ
— correlation (@nosyone4) May 20, 2025
Angel Reese addressed the WNBA investigation in feedback to reporters on Tuesday with out mentioning what, if something, she heard in response to main questions from reporters.
Angel Reese took 3 questions concerning the WNBA opening an investigation into reported hate speech directed at her through the Sky-Fever recreation Saturday. After {that a} Sky media rep shortly responded “subsequent query” when reporters requested observe ups. #Sky pic.twitter.com/qsREFpJCXk
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) May 20, 2025
In a video posted Sunday, Barstool Sports activities founder Dave Portnoy, who was courtside on the recreation Saturday, mentioned he did no hear any racial taunts from the group, which he famous was made up of loads of households and younger women:
The @WNBA can’t get out of their very own manner. To concern an announcement in response to trolls is a joke. It makes @IndianaFever followers look unhealthy for no motive. It’s like they gained’t be completely happy until they kill the golden goose.
(If I’m fallacious I’ll apologize and eat my phrases however I’m 100% proper) https://t.co/wYrmk5d8Pe pic.twitter.com/LCib9r41l4
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 18, 2025
Portnoy later defended himself over unfounded allegations that he mentioned one thing fallacious to Reese through the recreation, “To make clear I yelled “Ball Don’t Lie” when Angel missed the tech. WNBA desires to cuff and stuff me for it.”
To make clear I yelled “Ball Don’t Lie” when Angel missed the tech. WNBA desires to cuff and stuff me for it. https://t.co/ooLr95bipB
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 20, 2025
Sports activities reporter Christine Brennan reported on the standing of the investigation, and its obvious lack of proof, in a submit on X Tuesday, “Almost three days after allegations of racist feedback within the Sky-Fever recreation, I’m being instructed the WNBA has no timeline for completion of its investigation and there can be no announcement — both if racist conduct occurred or if it didn’t happen — till the evaluation is accomplished.”
Almost three days after allegations of racist feedback within the Sky-Fever recreation, I’m being instructed the WNBA has no timeline for completion of its investigation and there can be no announcement — both if racist conduct occurred or if it didn’t happen — till the evaluation is accomplished.
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) May 20, 2025
The WNBA is seemingly responding to on-line complaints of “monkey sounds” picked up on the printed that apparently was only a fan making absurd yodeling sounds:
Hey @WNBA out of your beloved ESPN the sound you hear is from a sound machine that seems like a freaking dolphin & folks booing. Please clarify how that is racist? So followers will not be allowed to boo now?
At this level possibly simply change your identify to The WKumbaya league! pic.twitter.com/KnnFhb4ZgH— Mama Lil ❌❌ ️ PDX OR (@trimetfan) May 18, 2025
A video report on the fan:
This is the racist noises coming from Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever followers pic.twitter.com/HiSa3gliGs
— Caitlin Clark By The Numbers (@CCByTheNumbers) May 19, 2025
However as Portnoy says, the WNBA has given Indian Fever followers a foul rap simply because the season began.
