WNBA Investigates Alleged Hateful Comments Directed at Angel Reese During Fever-Sky Game
The WNBA has launched an investigation into reports of “hateful comments” directed at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, as per Fox News.
The league released a statement Sunday condemning racism and discrimination, noting that it is working to determine the nature and source of the remarks allegedly made by fans during the Fever’s dominant win over the Sky.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society,” the league said. “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) also addressed the incident, voicing support for the league’s ongoing probe.
“Such behavior is unacceptable for our sport,” the WNBPA said. “Under the WNBA’s ‘No Space for Hate’ policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which oversees the Indiana Fever, confirmed the organization is cooperating fully with the WNBA’s investigation.
“We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players,” Raines said in a statement.
The game also featured an on-court confrontation between Angel Reese and Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, whose heated rivalry has drawn national attention. In the third quarter, Clark committed a flagrant foul against Reese, prompting an emotional reaction from the Sky forward before tensions settled.
The incident sparked intense debate among fans and commentators and further highlighted the growing spotlight on WNBA rivalries in the 2025 season.
The investigation comes amid the WNBA’s broader effort to combat hate speech through its new “No Space for Hate” campaign, launched prior to the season’s start. The initiative includes the use of AI-powered tools to monitor social media for abusive content and a revised fan code of conduct that sets stricter guidelines for in-person and online behavior.
According to the policy, racist, sexist, homophobic, sexual, or threatening remarks may result in content deletion, fan bans from digital platforms, and referrals to law enforcement in serious cases. Repeat violations could lead to lifetime bans from WNBA arenas and events.
“Repeat violations of these guidelines may result in the violator no longer being able to follow our news, comment on our posts or send us messages,” the WNBA warned.
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