WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert missed a massive opportunity to address the issues permeating the league’s circles head-on — by a mile.
Earlier this week, Engelbert was asked to speak about how race and sexuality have been introduced into conversations surrounding two of the league’s prominent players — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — and how she would stay ahead of it and keep a lid on the unhinged and dark rhetoric from fans.
Engelbert didn’t answer the question as most assumed she would have — denouncing any hate, racism, sexism, etc. — and instead leaned into the Caitlin-Angel “rivalry” and mentioned how it was good for fans and business. Here’s a clip of that conversation:
This is such a despicable response from Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the #WNBA.
She was literally given the perfect opportunity/platform to say literally anything acceptable for the players and coaches and instead chooses to make it about revenue.pic.twitter.com/EQWCCstmQT
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) September 10, 2024
Engelbert’s gaffe was immediately evident, and when New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart was asked about it, she didn’t hold back.
Per Lucas Kaplan of SB Nation, here’s a portion of what she told the media Tuesday:
“There’s no place for that in our sport, and I think that’s really it…we want our sport to be inclusive for race, gender and really a place where people can be themselves.”
“We wished, obviously, Cathy would use her platform in a different way and have made that a little bit better…telling the fans…enough is enough.”
“Become a fan of our sport, and for the new ones, lock in on everybody. But don’t be disrespectful because as a league, like, we stick together, and there’s no place for that.”
But Stewart wasn’t the only prominent figure or entity to react to the commissioner’s statement and the backlash.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) and several players across the league, including Angel Reese, did.
Statement from @TheWNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson: pic.twitter.com/k5fkk4DOR9
— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) September 10, 2024
I LOVE ME SOME MS. TERRI CARMICHAEL JACKSON. Momma @nnekaogwumike you’re on the clock sista! 😇
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 11, 2024
I stand against all forms of discrimination, hatred, and bias, especially in reference to sports. The intersection of racism and sports should always be rejected. No platform is too big or too small to stand for the right thing. No excuses.
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) September 10, 2024
Sweet. Baby. Jesus. pic.twitter.com/2RKjsmpojP
— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) September 10, 2024
https://t.co/ypasWLy9N8 pic.twitter.com/8j4CVKpnKy
— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) September 10, 2024
It’s like….. no way she said that?¿…
— Queen (@QueenEgbo_) September 10, 2024
that’s it….? ignore it..??? nahhhhhh try again https://t.co/ngdUej68tr
— azurá b. stevens (@stevens_azura) September 11, 2024
Engelbert later released a statement about her viral segment to clarify her comments.
During a recent media interview, I was asked about the dark side of social media and online conversation about WNBA rivalries and race. To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else.
— Cathy Engelbert (@CathyEngelbert) September 11, 2024
However, Engelbert’s update didn’t sit well with fans, and they immediately ripped her for it, too.
this being tweeted in the middle of the night is unserious. Engelbert has been commissioner since 2019. she knows or should know the makeup of the league and the things they experience. this statement should’ve been just as loud as her earlier comments — not a tweet. https://t.co/cBvmj9yyZa
— shakeia (@curlyfro) September 11, 2024
One tweet. At 11:36pm ET. https://t.co/PWwcO1r3Ra pic.twitter.com/RjyxbKLKwc
— Zena Keita (@itszenakeita) September 11, 2024
https://t.co/q2zObKKXO0 pic.twitter.com/WqdbC13HmD
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) September 11, 2024
I know there’s a lot of smoke flying around for politicians tonight but don’t think you outsmarted us by posting this now.
We will MAKE TIME to talk about how poorly you represented the WNBA and its fans. https://t.co/eNLpplmWab
— Rose Harding 김윤지 (@roselharding) September 11, 2024
Too late! This is what you were suppose to say during that interview. We heard you and we know your true intentions. Now that @TheWNBPA and @breannastewart publicly condemn your comments you want say something! YOU HAD ALL DAY TO CORRECT THIS! pic.twitter.com/sBVOC91qMV
— Tye Sports (@Tye_Sports) September 11, 2024
Cathy this tweet was the most unserious way for you to address your egregious miss use of your platform and responsibility as a commissioner of the WNBA. Change must come, and it must come swiftly. These ladies should not have to be tormented under your watch and or benefit.
— Jojo Joseph (@JojoJoseph2019) September 11, 2024
