Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates on Monday addressed the WNBA¡¯s investigation into allegations of hateful comments or noises made toward players during the season opener in Indianapolis on Saturday.
The Fever thrashed the rival Chicago Sky 93-58, with Clark recording a triple-double and picking up her first flagrant foul as a pro. Clark fouled Angel Reese to prevent a clear layup, and Reese was incensed and shouted at her for several moments after the whistle. Clark¡¯s foul was upgraded after review to a flagrant-1, and Reese got two free throws.
Some social media users alleged that the ABC/ESPN broadcast of the game picked up the incident in question. One video showed a male fan ¡ª wearing a red replica Caitlin Clark jersey with matching shorts ¡ª sitting courtside and making high-pitched noises while Reese shot a free throw with 4:38 left in the third quarter.
On Sunday, the WNBA released a statement saying that it was ¡°aware of the allegations¡± and looking into the matter.
¡°There¡¯s no place for that in our game, there¡¯s no place for that in society,¡± Clark said Monday. ¡°We certainly want every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience.¡±
Clark added that she did not personally hear any hateful comments from fans.
¡°It¡¯s super loud in here. Although I didn¡¯t hear anything, I think that¡¯s why they¡¯re doing the investigation, that¡¯s why they¡¯re looking into it,¡± she said. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean that nothing happened. You just trust the league¡¯s investigation and I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll do the right thing.¡±
DeWanna Bonner, third in all-time WNBA points, was an opponent of the Fever¡¯s last year while with the Connecticut Sun. The veteran, now with the Fever, stated that the team was in agreement regarding the alleged incident.
¡°We keep uplifting each other and speaking out on these things when that is needed,¡± Bonner said, per ESPN. ¡°That¡¯s not what we as players stand for, not what the Indiana Fever organization stands for. It¡¯s zero tolerance.¡±
Aliyah Boston, the Fever¡¯s No. 1 overall draft pick in 2023 before the team selected Clark in 2024, added that she wants Indiana¡¯s crowd to be loud and passionate, but without crossing a line.
¡°No type of hate is ever welcomed here,¡± Boston said. ¡°As a player, you just have to stay strong and be able to call it out if something happens.¡±
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