The Indiana Fever vs the Chicago Sky was every bit a success the league was hoping it to be. The 2.7 million in viewership made it not only the W’s most-watched in the past 25 years, but also surpassed MLB’s most storied rivalry — Yankees-Mets. But the aftermath? It left a stain on that achievement. Even if the investigation has drawn to a close, the embarrassment only grows.
After the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it was alleged that Angel Reese had been subjected to hate speech and racist slurs. The league hardly waited a minute to announce a closer look into the matter. “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society,” the statement had declared. So the investigation took off with information gathering from the fans, team members, and staff who were present at the game.
Being a game televised by ABC, there were microphones right by the bench and even more cameras than in a regular WNBA game. This further helped the investigation, as the league also conducted an “audio-video review” to find any misconduct that had occurred. And while many fans, regardless of their affiliations, believed it was the right way forward, others criticized the league upon the completion of the investigation.
10 days since the incident, the WNBA has released a statement that confirms the alleged racist behavior was “not substantiated.” And while the Chicago Sky CEO Adamn Fox “appreciated the quick action,” the same couldn’t be said for the owner of Barstool Sports, Dave Portnoy. “Maybe wait next time before creating a racial war based on angry tik toks from Chicago Sky/Angel trolls who weren’t even at the game,” he said.
Portnoy, like many, questioned the veracity of the allegations that were made in the first place. Neither the players nor Tyler Marsh had stated that they heard any of the slurs. So to open an investigation on a matter as grave without the presence of concrete evidence rightly invited criticism from the blunt Portnoy. “Honestly, one of the worst mismanagements of PR I’ve ever seen,” he said.
With the league already starting to record historic numbers early on in the season, the W is surely on the rise. However, off-court interruptions taking precedence are hardly a good look. Even a sure shot at driving away spectators keen for basketball stories. Rachel DeMita, for one, had echoed the sentiment.
But while the business side of things is necessary, the league’s long-standing commitment to “foster a safe and inclusive environment” is above all. Sure, the allegations did not have a solid evidence attached. But the agendas that are often pushed by trolls must be nipped in the bud, which is exactly what the investigation has achieved. While the league is being criticized for looking into a false claim right now, it is far better for their PR than being falsely labelled.
WNBA came in tight after the influx in engagement
As much as the WNBA enjoyed the unprecedented interest last season, with it came the scrutiny unasked for. The players did not hesitate to speak up either. Brittney Griner, Angel Reese, DiJonai Carrington, and Alyssa Tomas– the players went public with the hate speech and gestures they were subjected to. While it was racial taunts for one, it was being followed home for another. So when the league entered the new season, Cathy Engelbert & Co. came in with a mission and enforcements.
“No space for hate” — a campaign the WNBA will be riding on in 2025. And it’s not all talk no action either.
““We want our arenas, and our social platforms filled with energy and fandom — not hate and vitriol. That means turning our values into action: strengthening digital and physical security, expanding access to mental health resources, and unifying our message across the league,” the commissioner asserted.
You know they weren’t playing that when the investigation was announced within hours. You can see the appreciation in Angel Reese, too. “I think they’ve done a great job supporting us in this… I believe that every player in this league deserves to be treated with respect and want to come to work and have fun and have a great environment to work at,” she had said.
The league’s reputation is at a fragile point in time, making it prone to get toppled due to controversy. While the 10-day long investigation did fall flat in its face, it wasn’t an empty inquiry by any means. It once again establishes the WNBA’s presence as a league that protects and empowers its players.
The post After WNBA’s Investigation Falls Flat, Dave Portnoy Rips League for Falling for Angel Reese Trolls: “Worst Mismanagement” appeared first on EssentiallySports.