What did Cathy Engelbert say? Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart blast WNBA commissioner’s response to social media attacks

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has angered her own league. 

The WNBA is thriving in 2024. League revenue and viewership have skyrocketed, with a large part of that thanks to the increased interest in rookies such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The rivalry in college between the former Iowa and LSU stars piqued the interest of sports fans around the country, and now that intrigue has translated to the professional level.

Yet with more fans comes more haters, and there have been plenty of both this season. Both Clark and Reese have been subjected to online criticism from followers who side with one or the other.

The swell of social media vitriol created a toxic environment for players on their social media platforms. Reese in particular called out racist taunts and death threats lobbed at her.

Engelbert received a public opportunity to condemn the online hate directed toward not just star rookies but WNBA players in general. Her response should have been an easy way to back the professional athletes playing in (and generating money for) the league — the equivalent of taking an easy lob pass for a slam dunk.

Instead, Engelbert completely airballed her chance — and her response caused a stir among WNBA stars.

MORE: WNBA updated playoff standings, clinching scenarios for 2024

What did Cathy Engelbert say?During an appearance Tuesday on CNBC’s “Power Launch,” Engelbert was asked about the attacks players have faced on social media, during the 2024 season in particular.

Instead of condemning the actions of toxic fans, the commissioner pointed to how much revenue the league has generated thanks to the increase in popularity this year. She also highlighted the energy brought by rivalries like the one between Clark and Reese.

“There’s no more apathy. Everybody cares,” Engelbert said. “It is a little of that [Larry] Bird-Magic [Johnson] moment if you recall from 1979, when those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one Black. And so we have that moment with these two.

“But the one thing I know about sports, you need rivalry. That’s what makes people watch. They want to watch games of consequence between rivals. They don’t want everybody being nice to one another.”

WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert on the toxicity that’s spawned from the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry. Seems to me the WNBA media who keeps chastising the fans, is running counter to what the commissioner wants. Let me know what you think. #WNBA #feverrising

Full… pic.twitter.com/N67HN0n6Vn

— Ken Swift (@kenswift) September 9, 2024WNBA players react to Cathy Engelbert’s commentsWomen’s National Basketball Players Association executive director Terri Jackson released a statement Tuesday night criticizing the comments made by Engelbert. 

“Here is the answer that the Commissioner should have provided to the very clear question regarding the racism, misogyny, and harassment experienced by the Players. There is absolutely no place in sport — or in life — for the vile hate, racist language, homophobic comments, and the misogynistic attacks our players are facing on social media,” the statement said.

“This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities fueling a business model. This kind of toxic fandom should never be tolerated or left unchecked. It demands immediate action, and frankly, should have been addressed long ago.”

MORE: Reese calls out ‘racism’ and ‘death threats’ from Clark’s fans

Engelbert’s comments generated a number of reactions from WNBA players. Some used interviews and postgame press conferences Tuesday night to slam Engelbert, while others posted on social media. 

“I just think it’s doing a disservice to the majority of this league in not talking about the part that it’s consumed and played by Black women,” Aces point guard Chelsea Gray told ESPN. “And to basically be like, ‘Yep, we push it under the carpet that racism is OK.’ So not being direct and handling that, I think she did a poor job of doing that.”

Gray’s comments were echoed by her teammates, including Aces forward Alysha Clark. 

“I think there was an opportunity for her to really be able to take hold of what’s been going on and let people know that regardless of the amount of dollars that are coming in, regardless of whatever, racism and misogyny and homophobia, they have no place in our league, and they have no place regardless of how popular our sport is,” Clark said. 

“It’s taken a darker turn in terms of the types of comments and the vitriol that’s coming through to the players, and it’s not OK. I wish [Engelbert] would have just said that — ‘It’s not OK.'”

Liberty forward Breanna Stewart was a part of the conversation between players and the union in regards to Englebert’s comments. She also expressed her disapproval of the comments made by the commissioner. 

NOH: Caitlin Clark is having the second-best rookie season in WNBA history

“I think that it’s kind of disappointing to hear,” Stewart said. “The way that the fans have surged, and especially behind Caitlin and Angel coming to this league, but also bringing a race aspect to a different level — you know, there’s no place for that in our sport. We want our sport to be inclusive for race, gender, and really a place where people can be themselves.

“So we wished, obviously, Cathy would use her platform in a different way and have made that a little bit better. Kind of just telling the fans like, 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, we stick together, and there’s no place for that.”

Aces guard Kelsey Plum was another high-profile player that disagreed with Engelbert’s statements. 

“Our women are very grounded and centered and have a great perspective on life, in my opinion,” Plum said. “I don’t think that represents what our league is about. If you tune into our league for 30 seconds, you’ll know that we are the most inclusive, loving, compassionate group. We don’t stand for any of that.”

Sky teammates Angel Reese, Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner, as well as Aces guard Sydney Colson, took to social media to post their reactions to Engelbert. 

I LOVE ME SOME MS. TERRI CARMICHAEL JACKSON. Momma @nnekaogwumike you’re on the clock sista! 😇

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 11, 2024pic.twitter.com/4FutLj0oQl

— Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) September 10, 2024Sweet. Baby. Jesus. pic.twitter.com/2RKjsmpojP

— Alysha Clark (@Alysha_Clark) September 10, 2024My eye must be deceiving me 😅 bc ain’t no way 👀

— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) September 10, 2024My eye must be deceiving me 😅 bc ain’t no way 👀

— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) September 10, 2024Yikes. 🥴

— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) September 10, 2024