Caitlin Clark condemned the social media harassment aimed at WNBA players, saying “harassment” and “hate” directed at her, her Fever teammates, coaches and opponents is “none of that is OK.” Her comments came after Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas reveale
Caitlin Clark walked through practice with something on her mind that had nothing to do with footwork or shot selection. She focused on the wave of online cruelty aimed at WNBA players — and she drew a hard line through it.
At practice Friday. Clark said she won’t accept the harassment and hate that follows her around the league. including the criticism that can come from rivalries and the attention that comes with the WNBA’s rising profile. “I’ve said up here and said before, the harassment, the hate, none of that is OK,” Clark said. “That goes for the opposing team we play, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches. There should never be question of character. None of that is OK, and I don’t want anybody to ever experience that.”.
Her remarks landed after Alyssa Thomas said Tuesday that she received death threats and had been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension. Thomas’ suspension came after she made contact with Clark’s throat in last week’s game against Indiana.
For Clark. the damage isn’t only physical or tactical — it’s the stories built online. and the personal pressure that comes with them. She said the narratives created about her and her Fever teammates can be difficult to deal with. “It can be really frustrating to me at times and it’s difficult,” Clark said. “A lot of people sometimes think I’m a robot. I’m not a robot. I have emotions, I have feelings. And it can be really difficult to go through a lot of that.”.
Clark added that as she navigates what comes with being a 24-year-old player in the spotlight. the impact can be more than people realize. “I’m 24 years old. trying to navigate a lot … there are times that it is hard. and there are times that. you know. it probably affects me a little bit more than I do put on.”.
The WNBA has struggled to keep pace with how fast social media hatred can spread as league attention has grown. The WNBA has drawn a larger audience in recent seasons. including with the addition of Clark and Angel Reese. and the business side has improved too: a multi-billion dollar media rights deal. million dollar salaries. and higher attendance. But alongside those gains has come more vitriol directed at players and teams.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a statement on Tuesday condemning “any and all forms of hate.” The league has been pushing to protect players and respond faster to threats. Teams have traveled with more security on the road, and there are enhanced protocols at arenas, hotels and when traveling. Franchises now take charter flights, which makes it easier on the teams.
The league has also implemented initiatives aimed at online hate and threats. That includes artificial intelligence software designed to identify and respond more quickly to threats, harassment and hate directed at players and teams across social media platforms.
At practice Wednesday. Fever coach Stephanie White spoke for two minutes on the same issue. pointing to the broader toxicity she believes is spreading online. “I think for the league as a whole. there’s been so much more toxicity. racism. homophobia – straight-up hateful nonsense. and it is absolutely unacceptable. ” White said. “Most of it is coming from the online community. In my heart of hearts, I believe most of it is not coming from WNBA fans or Indiana Fever fans.”.
White coached Thomas in Connecticut two years ago and said she saw similar social media vitriol then as well. “AT is exactly right: We get to play a basketball game,” White said. “Yes. that’s going to come with criticism and yes. that’s going to come with fans and the love-hate relationship they have with players and teams. But it’s not hard to not be a jerk. And if you’re one of the people who’s online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.”.
The league has expanded access to confidential mental health resources and support to help players deal with the hatred they receive. The WNBPA has also stepped in. The union sent a letter to its players last week that warned against the escalation of threats. The letter said: “We know spirited debate and passionate fandom are part of sports. Threats, harassment, and especially death threats directed at any player or members of her family are not. It is completely unacceptable and must be unequivocally, publicly and immediately condemned.”.
It added: “If you experience any threatening or concerning communications, please remember that both your team and the WNBPA have security resources available to support you. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones remain our highest priority.”
Put together. the message coming from players. coaches. and the league is blunt: the physical nature of a rivalry is one thing. What shows up in digital abuse — death threats. racial slurs. and targeted harassment — is something else entirely. and Clark’s stance made that clear at the start of the week’s work.
Caitlin Clark Alyssa Thomas WNBA harassment death threats racial slurs Fever Phoenix Mercury Stephanie White Cathy Engelbert WNBPA