WNBA Investigating Reports Of Racism During Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Season Opener

The WNBA has announced plans to investigate alleged racist comments directed at Angel Reese during the Chicago Sky's recent game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

During the Chicago Sky's season opener, tensions flared between Reese and Clark, two basketball sensations who've been at the center of what many describe as a manufactured rivalry since their NCAA championship matchup in 2023.

While competing in the second half of the May 16 game, where the Sky lost to the Fever 98-53, Reese and Clark made headlines again after Clark committed a hard foul against Reese, shoving her to the ground.

The moment sparked a brief confrontation, as Reese leaped off the floor and made her way toward Clark before being stopped by the Fever's Aliyah Boston. Clark was issued a flagrant foul, while Reese and Boston received offsetting technical fouls.

Because the game was played at the Fever's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the energy in the arena swung Clark's way, and social media users posted several clips of Fever fans—specifically Dave Portnoy—berating Reese throughout the matchup.

Furthermore, some attendees alleged that fans directed racist slurs at Reese.

While the alleged racist remarks were not captured on the national broadcast, the WNBA has since released a statement announcing an investigation.

"The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms," the league wrote in a statement. "They have no place in our league or in society."

They continued, "We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter."

According to the Daily Mail, the Indiana Fever also released a statement assuring WNBA fans that they were cooperating with the league to create a "safe environment" for all of its players.

"We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game, and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation. We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players," it read.

The WNBA's players' association also released a statement and expressed support for the investigation. "Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport," they wrote.

Attendees of the Sky game against the Fever shared updates on social media throughout the matchup regarding the atmosphere inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

On X, one user vowed never to set foot inside Indiana's arena again after witnessing the alleged "blatantly racist" behavior Fever fans directed toward Reese.

"Traveled from Chicago to Indy for the game today, and I will never be doing that again. The things I heard Fever fans screaming at Angel were nasty and blatantly racist. @IndianaFever, how much longer can you let this go on without addressing your harmful fan base?" the user wrote.

It echoes a similar statement another WNBA player, DiJonai Carrington of the Dallas Wings, posted last year during her game against Clark and the Fever, writing, "The Indiana Fever have the nastiest fans in the W. Ew."

Just three days before the Sky and Fever's season opener, the WNBA announced its new "No Space For Hate" campaign.

According to the league, the multi-dimensional platform is designed to combat hate and promote respect across the WNBA, from fan discourse in online threads to in-arena behavior.

The "No Space For Hate" campaign is powered by a task force of league and team representatives and is backed by the WNBA's players' association.

League officials spearheading the "No Space For Hate" campaign have outlined a "comprehensive approach" that includes increased emphasis on security measures and enhanced mental health resources.

“As the WNBA continues to grow in popularity and influence, we’re proud to launch ‘No Space for Hate’ — a league-wide initiative to better protect players, preserve the spirit of the game, and affirm the values of our league. We believe that basketball can be a unifying force — a place where people from all walks of life come together not just to watch a game, but to connect,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

“We want our arenas, and our social platforms filled with energy and fandom — not hate and vitriol. That means turning our values into action: strengthening digital and physical security, expanding access to mental health resources, and unifying our message across the league. It’s our responsibility to protect what makes this sport so special and ensure we continue to inspire the next generation of women’s basketball fans.”