WNBA players criticize commissioner for downplaying social media vitriol

[RandySF]

The WNBA players union and several players are calling out commissioner Kathy Engelbert for not taking a stronger stand against racism and hate speech many have experienced this season, especially on social media.

The issue has become more acute with the arrival of rookies Caitlin Clark, who is white and Angel Reese, who is Black – with a number of fans and commenters taking sides along racial lines.

In an interview Monday on CNBC, Engelbert was asked by host Tyler Mathisen about the "darker ... more menacing" tone of the social media discussion.

Engelbert's answer focused more on the additional visibility the two rookies have given the WNBA.

"The one thing I know about sports, you need rivalry," Engelbert said. "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."




https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2024/09/11/wnba-commissioner-cathy-engelbert-criticism-downplaying-racism/75171010007/

[ProfessorGAC]

1. Not Getting It

What do they expect Engelbert to do? Social media is often a sewer. Everyone knows that.
It's not the WNBA commissioner's job to police the internet, which is impossible anyway.
Do they really think Engelbert approves of the foul tone? Or that she doesn't care?
What is the players' association doing about it?
I think this is misdirected anger. The issue is real but they aren't very specific about what should be done.
A sternly worded letter? What good would that do?

[RandySF]

2. She blew it off as just "rivalry"

after her employees received racial taunts and death threats beyond social media.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Yes, I Read That

I still don't understand what they expect her to do.