Like Adam Silver, Cathy Engelbert seems to see the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese only on the positive side, with the attention and engagement it generates for the WNBA.
And the excesses of supporters on the Web? Almost a non-subject for the “commissioner” who explains to those concerned to simply ” ignore “ what the overly vehement fans are saying. Enough to trigger an immediate reaction from the players' union, very disappointed by Cathy Engelbert's purely “business” responses.
“This is the answer the “commissioner” should have given to the very clear question regarding the racism, misogyny and harassment suffered by the players”, thus indicates the press release of the Women's National Basketball Players Association. “There is absolutely no place in sport – or in life – for the hate, racist language, homophobic comments and misogynistic attacks that our players face on social media. These are not rivalries or iconic figures that fuel a business model. This type of toxic bigotry should never be tolerated or allowed to get out of control. It demands immediate action and, frankly, it should have been addressed a long time ago.”
“That's not the kind of environment we want for our fans. That's not the kind of environment we want to see these young girls and boys in, thinking that's normal.”
Many players, Chelsea Gray has Alysha Clark passing by Kelsey Plum And Breanna Stewartalso showed their disappointment, prompting Cathy Engelbert to react on social media.
“In a recent media interview, I was asked about the dark side of social media and online conversations surrounding WNBA rivalries and race. To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else.” she published.
A laconic catch-up that will probably not be enough, the executive director of the players' union, Terri Jackson, repeating that “Racism, and the toll it exacts on everyone, is NEVER tolerable, and even less justifiable, in the name of economic growth.”
“This is not the kind of environment we want for our fans” concludes Alysha Clark. “This is not the kind of environment we want to see these young girls and boys in, thinking that this is normal.”
