WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently found herself at the center of controversy following remarks she made regarding the rivalry between basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. The comments sparked frustration and disappointment among both fans and players, as they touched on sensitive issues of race and sports.
During an interview, Engelbert drew a comparison between the rising popularity of Clark and Reese to the historic rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in 1979, which also captivated the sports world. Engelbert remarked, “The WNBA players are really looked at now as kind of cultural icons. And when you have that, you have a lot of attention on you. There’s no more apathy. Everybody cares. It is a little bit of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall, from 1979. When those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one black. And so we have that moment with these two.”
It was the specific mention of race — “one white, one black” — that upset many fans and players alike. Critics argued that the commissioner’s choice of words was tone-deaf, fueling an already charged conversation around race, particularly regarding the intense media scrutiny surrounding Clark, who is white, and Reese, who is Black. The rivalry between the two players has captivated the basketball world, but it has also opened up broader discussions about the treatment and portrayal of athletes of different races in the media.
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Following the backlash, Engelbert took to social media on Tuesday to clarify her remarks and address the concerns that had been raised. In a tweet, she emphasized that there is no room for hate or racism in the WNBA or anywhere else.
“During a recent media interview, I was asked about the dark side of social media and online conversation about WNBA rivalries and race. To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else,” Engelbert tweeted.
Despite the clarification, some WNBA stars voiced their disappointment with the commissioner’s comments. New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, a prominent figure in the league, publicly expressed her concerns, stating that Engelbert missed an opportunity to address the issue more effectively.
“We wish Cathy would have used her platform in a different way and made that moment better,” Stewart said. “Just telling the fans, ‘Enough is enough.’ Become a fan of our sport, and for the new ones, lock in on everybody. But don’t be disrespectful, because as a league, we stick together, and there’s no place for that.”
The rivalry between Clark and Reese, which began during their college basketball careers, has drawn comparisons to legendary rivalries in sports, but it has also highlighted the disparity in how athletes are treated and perceived based on race. Reese, in particular, has faced harsh criticism online for her confident, unapologetic attitude on the court, while Clark has largely been praised for similar behavior.
Engelbert’s comments, while meant to acknowledge the significance of the rivalry, inadvertently touched on these larger conversations about race and athlete representation. For many, the comparison to Bird and Magic, though historic, felt outdated and reductive, especially when framed around the players’ racial identities.
As the commissioner of a league that prides itself on inclusivity and social justice, Engelbert now faces the challenge of navigating these delicate conversations while ensuring that the WNBA remains a space where all athletes are supported and celebrated equally. Going forward, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how Engelbert addresses these issues and whether she can foster a more positive and inclusive dialogue around the sport.
In the meantime, the rivalry between Clark and Reese continues to be a focal point for basketball fans, and the ongoing conversation around race in sports remains as relevant as ever.
Engelbert will need to approach these topics with more sensitivity and awareness in the future, as players like Stewart have made it clear that the league’s athletes expect more from their leadership.
