INDIANAPOLIS – At Friday’s news conference following the conclusion of the Indiana Fever’s season, rookie Caitlin Clark and head coach Christie Sides condemned the racist rhetoric many WNBA players said they’ve experienced this season.
“Nobody in our league should be facing any sort of racism, hurtful, disrespectful (or) hateful comments and threats,” Clark said. “Those aren’t fans. Those are trolls, and it’s a real disservice to the people in our league, the organization, the WNBA.”
The online targeting of WNBA players appears to have reached a tipping point during the postseason. After the Connecticut Sun eliminated the Fever in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday, Sun veteran Alyssa Thomas pointed to the “Indiana Fever fan base” as directing hateful comments at her and her teammates. Sun guard DiJonai Carrington shared online before Game 2 against the Fever an email she received from an anonymous source that included threatening and racist language.
The Athletic’s @RomeovilleKid asked Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark about the racism and other negativity players have endured this season.
“Those aren’t fans. Those are trolls.”pic.twitter.com/Im0IeDjGkv
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 27, 2024
“I think in my 11-year career,…
