UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Connecticut Sun had a reason to celebrate as they advanced to their sixth consecutive WNBA semifinals by sweeping the Indiana Fever in the first round. However, some disturbing incidents occurred on what should have been a joyous night.
The WNBA issued a statement on Wednesday denouncing the negative messages that players are receiving online. Sun guard DiJonai Carrington shared a threatening email she received, which included a racial slur and a threat of sexual assault.
The statement from the WNBA emphasized that they will not tolerate any racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams, or anyone affiliated with the league. League security is actively monitoring such activities and will take necessary measures, including involving law enforcement.
After the game, Carrington did not comment on the incident. Her teammate Alyssa Thomas pointed out Indiana Fever fans as the source of the increased vitriol that players have faced this year. The league has seen a rise in fandom with the arrival of rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, but along with the increased attention has come toxicity.
Thomas expressed her disappointment with the racial comments and insults directed at players from the Indiana Fever fan base. She emphasized that there is no place for such behavior and called on the WNBA to address and prevent fans from engaging in hateful discourse.
Indiana coach Christie Sides also addressed the hurtful speech her team had endured throughout the season, with forward Aliyah Boston even deleting her social media accounts to avoid negative comments.
Thomas and Sun coach Steph White called for action to be taken against fans engaging in derogatory behavior. They both stressed the importance of reframing the focus on the game itself rather than allowing online trolls to shape the narrative of the league.
In a statement earlier this summer, Clark spoke out against fans using her name to spread hate and called for respect for all individuals in the league. Despite her denunciation, fans have continued to target her opponents with hateful messages.
Recent incidents have highlighted the need for the WNBA to address this concerning trend of negative fan behavior. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert initially focused on the positive aspects of rivalries in the league but later apologized for not condemning negative fan behavior after facing criticism from WNBA players.
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