WNBA Shares Its Findings Into Alleged Racist Remarks Directed At Angel Reese During Fever Game

The WNBA has released its findings from an investigation into alleged racist comments directed at Angel Reese during a recent contest against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

In its statement, the league also reaffirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all its players.

Shortly after the May 17 matchup between Reese and Clark, the WNBA announced an investigation into claims that Indiana Fever fans had allegedly directed racist language at Reese.

On May 27, the league released its findings in a statement, explaining that it was unable to verify the claims.

“Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it," the statement read.

It continued, “The WNBA is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and will continue to be vigilant in enforcing our fan code of conduct.”

Reese's team, the Chicago Sky, thanked the league for taking the "matter seriously" in its statement. “This process demonstrates the league’s strong stance on stopping hate at all WNBA games and events, and we will continue to support those efforts," it also stated.

The investigation stemmed from claims of racist fan conduct that erupted on social media following an on-court foul involving Clark and Reese during the May 17 Sky-Fever game.

"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."

Several social media users praised the league for appearing to defend Reese, while others, such as Dave Portnoy, slammed the association for feeding into "bullsh-t."

"Can't believe I'm making this video," Portnoy said in a rant on social media. "Today I see online, starting last night, just salty trolls, and I don't even know actually if they're just Chicago Sky fans, I think they're just trolls. They're people who just hate Caitlin Clark."

He added, "They're trolls and they're like, 'Of course the Indiana Fever are making monkey sounds and other racist sounds at Angel Reese,' which is total garbage, totally made up."

Some commentators also weighed in on the Clark-Reese incident, including WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes, who criticized Clark for her conduct following the foul.

"I don't have an issue with the foul. I thought it was a hard foul, yep, I thought the refs got it right," Swoopes said. "My issue wasn't even with the foul. If you're going to foul somebody, I was always taught you don't give up an easy basket, period. And that's what I thought Caitlin did. My thing with that was, stand in it. Don't walk away."

The Hall of Famer also criticized Clark's teammate, Aliyah Boston, for intervening and seemingly shoving Reese during the heated exchange.

"My other issue was ... I also have always been taught when I played, go grab your own teammate, don't come grab my teammate. So, where Aliyah Boston went over to Angel ... to me, you gotta get your own teammate," Swoopes said. "I didn't have a problem with the foul ... I got issues with all the other stuff that came along with that, not that foul."

During Reese and Clark's post-game conferences, both players expressed their desire to put the incident behind them.

"Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on," Reese told reporters after the game, while Clark urged the media not to make the situation "anything that it's not."

"It was just a good play on the basketball. I'm not sure what the refs saw to upgrade it. That's up to their discretion ... I wasn't trying to do anything malicious. That's not the type of player I am," Clark added.

Since their meeting during the 2023 NCAA championship, where Reese and the LSU Tigers defeated Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, many eyes have been on the two of them.

In a 2024 interview, Reese opened up about her relationship with Clark and said their competitive nature on the hardwood isn't personal.

"Me and Caitlin Clark don't hate each other. I want everybody to understand that. It's just a super competitive game, and I would just wish people realized that," she said.

"We're not buddies," she added. "I'm going to talk trash to you. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get in your head the whole entire game, but after the game, we can kick it. I don't think people really realize that, and that's fine, I'll take the villain role."