Thu Sep 12 00:36:43 UTC 2024: ## WNBA Commissioner Faces Backlash for Remarks on Clark-Reese Rivalry

**NEW YORK** – WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is facing a storm of criticism from players after her comments on the highly publicized rivalry between college basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

Engelbert, in a recent interview, acknowledged the negative aspects of the rivalry, particularly the racial discourse surrounding it, but focused primarily on its marketing potential, comparing it to the legendary Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry. “You need rivalry,” she said, “That’s what makes people watch.”

However, many WNBA players, especially Black athletes, were deeply disappointed by Engelbert’s remarks, feeling she brushed aside serious issues of race and respect.

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington said Engelbert missed a crucial opportunity to address racism directly. “It was eye-opening because of what we’ve experienced this season,” Carrington said. “Some of it has been pretty sickening, and it should have been called out.”

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart also expressed disappointment, while three-time WNBA champion Chelsea Gray criticized Engelbert for downplaying the racial undertones and failing to focus on the experiences of the majority of WNBA players, who are Black women.

“There’s a responsibility when you’re in that position to address things head-on,” Gray noted. “It’s not enough to brush it aside.”

Furthermore, the comparison to the Bird-Johnson rivalry drew criticism. Many felt it minimized the unique challenges facing female athletes, especially Black women, both on and off the court.

The commissioner’s comments have sparked a wider conversation about the league’s role in protecting its players from online abuse. While Engelbert emphasized the rivalry’s positive impact on the league’s growth, players are demanding a greater focus on issues of race and respect, arguing that these issues deserve more attention than simply marketing benefits.

The controversy has highlighted the growing power of WNBA players’ voices. It remains to be seen whether Engelbert will issue a further statement to clarify her position, but one thing is clear: WNBA players are demanding more from their leadership.

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