Indiana Fever All-Star rookie guard Caitlin Clark and WNBA Commissioner Kathy Engelbert at the league’s draft last April. Credit: AP Photo/Adam Hunger
by
Let’s start with the fact that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert does not condone racism. That said, she failed to articulate that during an appearance on the CNBC program “Power Lunch.” When asked about WNBA rivalries, notably Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and the dark side of social media, she pivoted to an analogy about when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird first joined the NBA in 1979 and how rivalries are good for sports. She then followed up with upbeat words about the increase in the league’s corporate sponsors.
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association responded with a decisive statement from executive director Terri Jackson in which she laid out how Engelbert should have answered. In part, her statement read: “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.”
Engelbert subsequently issued an apology for her comments and denounced racism. Rather, now is the time to apply meaningful solutions so that the WNBA’s stand on such behavior is clear and people can learn how harmful this sort of toxicity is.
“If left unaddressed, toxic behaviors will permeate into every aspect of the game and league,” said Nevin Caple, founder and CEO of Return On Inclusion™ and a former basketball player. “Sport is a microcosm of society, so these issues aren’t new, but with a growing fanbase the league has a tremendous opportunity, starting with the commissioner, to flex a little and set a new standard of what will be tolerated and what won’t.”
Caple noted that without active work to unlearn harmful behaviors and stereotypes, they continue to perpetuate in society. Creating an inclusive environment takes the work of all players, and that work takes practice just like the game of basketball, she said.
The league and the players have shown commitment over the past few years — with social justice initiatives and the WNBA Changemaker Collective — but there has not been decisive pushback against hostilities on social media, including those with racial overtones.
“In the WNBA, there is a greater responsibility to the players of a predominantly Black league to lead inclusivity, not just through policy and programs, but words and actions,” Caple said. “This work starts with leadership.”
This article originally appeared in the New York Amsterdam News.
WNBA commissioner fumbles when asked about toxic fan behaviors
About Post Author
