Caitlin Clark’s fanbase is once again facing criticism from the WNBA community, and this time, it’s coming from a prominent voice—former WNBA star and current Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery. During a recent episode of her podcast, Montgomery took a strong stance against certain segments of Clark’s supporters, calling out those who have crossed the line with racist and sexist remarks aimed at fellow players, particularly LSU star Angel Reese.
Montgomery, a two-time WNBA champion, used her platform to highlight the toxic behavior of some Clark fans and to make it clear that such actions have no place in the league. As a part-owner of the Atlanta Dream, Montgomery’s words carry significant weight. She stressed that these fans do not represent the values of the WNBA or the broader basketball community.
“Clark’s fans who spread hate with racist and sexist comments shouldn’t be allowed to represent the WNBA in any capacity,” Montgomery said firmly. She went on to criticize the way some fans have treated Angel Reese, who has been the target of particularly harsh and offensive behavior from a portion of Clark’s supporters.
“This group cannot be a representation of what the WNBA would want in their league,” Montgomery emphasized. “This is our league. That ain’t a representation of us. Y’all not like us. They not like us, okay? For instance, a diehard Falcons fan can hate the Saints. But they would be going too far if they created nude AI pictures of Saints players and sent them to the players’ families. That’s what Caitlin stans have done to Angel Reese.”
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Montgomery’s point was clear: it’s one thing to be passionate about sports and even harbor rivalries, but it’s another to engage in hateful, harmful behavior. “It’s okay to be a hater in sports,” she added. “Hating in sports is a part of the game. I like when our fans are so engaged and so passionate that they just don’t like the other team. But being racist, sexist, and violent with your words? C’mon now. What are we doing? That’s not acceptable.”
Reese herself has been vocal about her experiences with Clark’s fanbase. On her own podcast, Unapologetically Angel, Reese opened up about the disrespect she’s encountered, noting that while she appreciates the loyalty Clark’s fans show, there are times when they go too far.
“I think it’s really just the fans—her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans—they ride for her, and I respect that,” Reese said. “But sometimes, it’s very disrespectful. I think there’s a lot of racism when it comes to it.”
Clark, a rising star in both college basketball and the WNBA, has yet to address the ongoing controversy surrounding her fanbase. She has remained focused on the playoffs, where her performance has continued to captivate audiences. However, as the WNBA season comes to a close, Clark may need to confront the growing tension and address the behavior of some of her supporters.
The issue of toxic fan behavior has long been a concern in sports, but in this case, the racial and sexist undertones have added a layer of urgency. As Montgomery pointed out, fan passion is important, but it must be tempered by respect for the players, especially when that passion crosses into harmful territory.
As one of the league’s most promising young players, Clark’s influence extends far beyond the court, and her response to this issue could help set a standard for how fanbases are expected to behave in the future.
For now, Montgomery’s call to action serves as a reminder that the WNBA, like all sports leagues, should be a space for healthy competition, not a breeding ground for hate.
