WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert missed a large alternative to handle the problems permeating the league’s circles head-on — by a mile.
Earlier this week, Engelbert was requested to talk about how race and sexuality have been launched into conversations surrounding two of the league’s outstanding gamers — Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — and the way she would keep forward of it and preserve a lid on the unhinged and darkish rhetoric from followers.
Engelbert didn’t reply the query as most assumed she would have — denouncing any hate, racism, sexism, and so on. — and as a substitute leaned into the Caitlin-Angel “rivalry” and talked about the way it was good for followers and enterprise. Right here’s a clip of that dialog:
That is such a despicable response from Cathy Engelbert, commissioner of the #WNBA.
She was actually given the right alternative/platform to say actually something acceptable for the gamers and coaches and as a substitute chooses to make it about income.pic.twitter.com/EQWCCstmQT
— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) September 10, 2024
Engelbert’s gaffe was instantly evident, and when New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart was requested about it, she didn’t maintain again.
Per Lucas Kaplan of SB Nation, right here’s a portion of what she advised the media Tuesday:
“There’s no place for that in our sport, and I feel that’s actually it…we would like our sport to be inclusive for race, gender and actually a spot the place individuals will be themselves.”
“We wished, clearly, Cathy would use her platform differently and have made that somewhat bit higher…telling the followers…sufficient is sufficient.”
“Change into a fan of our sport, and for the brand new ones, lock in on all people. However don’t be disrespectful as a result of as a league, like, we stick collectively, and there’s no place for that.”
However Stewart wasn’t the one outstanding determine or entity to react to the commissioner’s assertion and the backlash.
The Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation (WNBPA) and several other gamers throughout the league, together with Angel Reese, did.
Assertion from @TheWNBPA Government 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 in opposition to all types of discrimination, hatred, and bias, particularly in reference to sports activities. The intersection of racism and sports activities ought to all the time be rejected. No platform is just too large or too small to face for the suitable factor. No excuses.
— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) September 10, 2024
Candy. Child. 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 manner she mentioned that?¿…
— Queen (@QueenEgbo_) September 10, 2024
that’s it….? ignore it..??? nahhhhhh strive once more https://t.co/ngdUej68tr
— azurá b. stevens (@stevens_azura) September 11, 2024
Engelbert later launched an announcement about her viral phase to make clear her feedback.
Throughout a current media interview, I used to be requested in regards to the darkish aspect of social media and on-line dialog about WNBA rivalries and race. To be clear, there may be completely no place for hate or racism of any sort within the WNBA or wherever else.
— Cathy Engelbert (@CathyEngelbert) September 11, 2024
Nevertheless, Engelbert’s replace didn’t sit properly with followers, they usually instantly ripped her for it, too.
this being tweeted in the midst of the evening is unserious. Engelbert has been commissioner since 2019. she is aware of or ought to know the make-up of the league and the issues they expertise. this assertion ought to’ve been simply as loud as her earlier feedback — 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 do know there’s quite a lot of smoke flying round for politicians tonight however don’t suppose you outsmarted us by posting this now.
We’ll MAKE TIME to speak about how poorly you represented the WNBA and its followers. https://t.co/eNLpplmWab
— Rose Harding 김윤지 (@roselharding) September 11, 2024
Too late! That is what you had been suppose to say throughout that interview. We heard you and we all know your true intentions. Now that @TheWNBPA and @breannastewart publicly condemn your feedback you need say one thing! YOU HAD ALL DAY TO CORRECT THIS! pic.twitter.com/sBVOC91qMV
— Tye Sports activities (@Tye_Sports) September 11, 2024
Cathy this tweet was essentially the most unserious manner so that you can tackle your egregious miss use of your platform and duty as a commissioner of the WNBA. Change should come, and it should come swiftly. These girls shouldn’t should be tormented beneath your watch and or profit.
— Jojo Joseph (@JojoJoseph2019) September 11, 2024
