Oh, boy, here we go again. What should’ve been a straightforward discussion on an important issue instead ignited controversy, all thanks to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s recent remarks about the heated Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry.
During a CNBC interview, Engelbert was asked to comment on the darker, more divisive side of fan behavior—particularly how race, sexuality, and other non-basketball factors have wormed their way into the conversation. Her answer, however, left many, including the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), unimpressed and, frankly, pretty upset.
Engelbert, attempting to frame the rivalry as a positive for the league, likened it to the famous Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry from 1979, when two college stars—one Black, one White—entered the NBA and helped propel the league to new heights. Her point? Rivalries, she said, fuel excitement and viewership.
Sure, that might work when discussing basketball dynasties and on-court competitiveness, but using this comparison to sidestep the troubling reality of racism and harassment within fandom was like trying to put a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.
And the WNBPA wasn’t having it. Terri Jackson, Executive Director of the WNBPA, made it crystal clear that Engelbert’s response missed the mark. Jackson’s statement drove home the fact that the real issue here isn’t about rivalries stoking fan interest—it’s about the toxic hate players are enduring. Racist, misogynistic, and homophobic comments on social media have no place in sports, or anywhere else for that matter, and should’ve been the primary focus of Engelbert’s response.
Engelbert, to her credit, did try to walk back her comments later, issuing a clarification on social media. She acknowledged that there’s no room for hate or racism in the WNBA, but the damage was already done. The initial failure to address the real issue left a bad taste in the mouths of many, especially those looking to the league for leadership on such matters.
What makes this all the more frustrating is the fact that the WNBA has been riding a wave of increased popularity, particularly thanks to star players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, whose on-court rivalry has been nothing short of electrifying.
But, as Terri Jackson so pointedly noted, this isn’t about building a business model on personality clashes. It’s about protecting the players and creating a space where fans can celebrate their talents without resorting to harmful rhetoric.
At the end of the day, this is a reminder that sports leagues, particularly ones like the WNBA that are still growing in popularity, need to be careful about how they navigate these conversations.
Rivalries are great for the game, sure, but not at the expense of ignoring real-world issues that impact the lives of the athletes themselves. Fans might flock to see Clark vs. Reese, but no one should have to endure the kind of hatred that’s been on display.
