Stephanie White, Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston talk win over Chicago Sky
Fever head coach Stephanie White and athletes Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston discussed the team’s win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
- The WNBA and WNBPA released statements condemning hateful language Sunday.
INDIANAPOLIS — The WNBA is looking into alleged hateful comments from fans at the Indiana Fever’s season-opener against the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, the league released this statement regarding fan comments: “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”
Sources with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar a report was filed to the league related to allegations of racist comments directed at Sky forward Angel Reese by fan(s) in the crowd. It does not have anything to do with the take foul, which turned into a flagrant 1 foul, that Fever guard Caitlin Clark committed on Reese or the ensuing scuffle between the teams.
“We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said in a statement. “We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.”
Clark attempted a take foul on Reese in the third quarter, wrapping her arms around Reese’s front and back. Reese stumbled to the ground and immediately jumped up to talk at Clark, but Aliyah Boston got in the middle of them and held Reese back while Clark walked away from the scrum, The foul was eventually upgraded to a flagrant 1 foul 1 and Boston and Reese got offsetting technical fouls.
Reese was heavily booed multiple times by fans in the sold-out crowd during the game, including during Sky introductions. The boos reached a peak when Reese stepped up to take the free throws for the flagrant foul; she missed the first one but made the second. Indiana beat Chicago, 93-58.
“We welcome the WNBA’s investigation of allegations of fan misconduct in our first game of the season,” Chicago Sky President and CEO Adam Fox said in a statement. “We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players, and we encourage the league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe environment all WNBA players.”
The WNBA introduced a “No Space for Hate” initiative ahead of the 2025 season, which was in response to multiple reports of hateful fan comments throughout 2024. The season-long initiative hopes to “combat hate and promote respect across all WNBA spaces — from online discourse to in-arena behavior,” according to a release from the league.
“The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation into this matter,” the WNBA players’ union said in a statement. “Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport. Under the WNBA’s ‘No Space for Hate’ policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”
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