Indiana Fever cooperating with WNBA amid hate speech investigation
Correction/clarification: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the nature of an WNBA investigation into alleged hateful speech during an Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky game. The WNBA did not specify who filed a report to launch the investigation.
The WNBA launched a formal investigation after allegations of hateful speech during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever appear to support the league's actions.
In a statement from the WNBA, the league said, "The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter."
Fever star Caitlin Clark expressed similar dismay for the alleged racist speech. Sources with knowledge of the situation told IndyStar the specific nature of the investigation is related to alleged racial comments toward Sky forward Angel Reese.
The WNBA did not specify who filed a report, if anyone, or if the league was looking at any specific part of the game.
Following team practice on Monday, Clark said "There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society."
She continued, "We want every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience. I appreciate the league doing that. I appreciate the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that since Day 1, and what they’re doing. With the investigation, we’ll leave that up to them to find anything, and take the proper action if so."
Clark's sentiment has been mirrored by Fever teammate Brianna Turner. On Monday, Turner, who also serves as the WNBA players' union treasurer, said she supports the league opening an investigation.
"One person is too many," Turner said. "If one person said something, I think it’s worth an investigation. If they find nothing, they find nothing. But if someone thinks they heard something or said something, I think it’s warranted to investigate."
Does this investigation have to do with the scrum between Reese and Clark?
During the third quarter of Indiana's 93-58 win over Chicago, Reese and Clark got into a brief fight after Clark committed a flagrant 1 foul on Reese, who was attempting to make a rebound. According to IndyStar, the investigation has nothing to do with that foul.
Did Clark hear any racist comments?
Clark claims she did not hear anything, but also noted that she couldn't really hear anything with how crowded the arena was.
"It’s super loud in here, and though I didn’t hear anything, I think that’s why they’re doing the investigation," said Clark. "That doesn’t mean nothing happened, so I’ll just trust the league’s investigation, and I’m sure they’ll do the right thing."
Contributing: Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star