Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese has openly criticized the media for failing to tackle the issue of racism in women’s basketball before it became a major problem, stressing that more should have been done earlier to prevent the situation from reaching its current level.
Her comments followed the WNBA’s official condemnation of “racist, derogatory, or threatening comments” after Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas highlighted the “racial comments from the Indiana Fever fan base” following the Sun’s series-clinching 87-81 win over the Fever.
Reese pointed out that racial abuse in the league is not a new issue, sharing that she has personally endured racially motivated hate for an extended period. “The media has profited off my struggles and from casting me as a villain to shape a narrative,” Reese wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “They stood by and allowed it to happen. It was advantageous for them… You’re all a bit late to the game and could have stepped in to address this long before it got out of control.”
Reese’s frustration increased after seeing a video featuring ESPN’s Andraya Carter, who remarked that while the league’s popularity is at an all-time high, racial slurs and derogatory online abuse have also escalated.
Reese shared that her own experiences have been disregarded. “I’ve dealt with this for the last two years but was always told ‘stop crying’ and ‘don’t play the victim,'” she revealed.
“It’s heartbreaking that … the excitement around the league is at its highest, but the racial slurs and the derogatory comments and the online bullying are also at their worst.”
ESPN’s Andraya Carter says there is “no space” for WNBA fans who dish hate:
The long-standing tension Reese refers to has often centered around her and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, who have been unfairly pitted against each other since their collegiate days, when Reese played for LSU and Clark for Iowa. Their rivalry, along with the rising fame of the 2024 WNBA rookie class, has drawn increased viewership and attention to the league, but some of this attention has turned toxic. In July, Reese’s mother revealed racially charged messages directed at her daughter from individuals claiming to be Clark’s fans.
Reese acknowledged that her personal experience with racism isn’t isolated, as other players now face similar hostility. “I’ve shared some of what’s happened to me, but I’ve also let it go on for too long, and now other players in the league are experiencing it too,” she wrote.
Reese emphasized that anything beyond basketball-related criticism is unacceptable. “It’s not OK. Criticizing how we play the game we love is fine, but anything beyond that crosses the line. I’m truly sorry for the players who have, or continue to, endure what I’ve been through.”
In response to the ongoing issue, Reese launched her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, as a way to regain control over her narrative. “This is why I started my podcast — to reclaim my voice and tell my own story,” she explained. While she does not expect apologies or for the situation to completely resolve,
she remains adamant that change is needed. “At the end of the day, I’m not looking for an apology, and I don’t think this is going away anytime soon, but something needs to be done.”
The resurgence of the conversation around racism in the WNBA was sparked by Alyssa Thomas’s public condemnation of offensive fan behavior. “We’ve maintained our professionalism through it all,” Thomas said. “But the things I’ve been called on social media? There’s no room for that.” She labeled the behavior as completely “unacceptable.”
In response to these incidents, the WNBA issued a statement confirming that it is actively “monitoring threat-related activity” and coordinating with teams and venues to ensure player safety, including involving law enforcement when necessary.
While we appreciate the growing support for the league, we will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening remarks targeting our players, teams, or anyone associated with the WNBA, the league’s statement declared.
Reese’s and Thomas’s calls for action bring renewed attention to the growing issue of racism in the WNBA, underscoring the need for greater support and intervention from the media and league leadership to protect players from these hostile environments.
