I Missed the Mark in My Interview

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert made a commitment to players on Friday, assuring them that the league would take a strong stance against the abusive behavior players have encountered on social media platforms. Engelbert’s promise came alongside an apology for her recent comments during a CNBC interview, where she emphasized the excitement surrounding rivalries yet failed to address the pressing issue of abusive rhetoric directed at players.

In a letter obtained by ESPN, Engelbert expressed regret for not more clearly condemning the hateful speech frequently aimed at WNBA athletes. She acknowledged that her response during the interview, which focused on the popularity of emerging stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, missed the crucial point of addressing the negativity often associated with those rivalries, particularly when issues of race and sexuality arise.

This letter, initially reported by the Wall Street Journal, was sent to all WNBA players. Beyond the letter, Engelbert engaged in direct conversations with some players, indicating her willingness to listen and improve the league’s response to these issues.

During the CNBC segment, Engelbert was questioned about the increasingly aggressive tone from certain fan bases on social media. Instead of addressing the underlying toxicity, she pivoted to discuss how rivalries create fan engagement, which led to disappointment among the players.

Numerous players took to social media to express their frustration regarding Engelbert’s failure to openly denounce abusive language. Terri Jackson, Executive Director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), criticized Engelbert for not adequately condemning the systemic racism, misogyny, and harassment that players endure.

Jackson highlighted the perception that the league has not taken a stand to set expectations for fan conduct online, leaving players to confront these challenges alone. She stressed that it is unacceptable for players to be encouraged to promote the league on social media while simultaneously being left unprotected from abuses that stem from that engagement.

The expectation was for the league to recognize the negative effects of such behavior on the players, as well as on its overall business reputation. Jackson emphasized that while controlling what people post online may be impractical, the league could issue statements that convey intolerance for racism, bias, and hate, demonstrating solidarity with the players.

Engelbert’s recent communication included a pledge that moving forward, the league will act decisively against hate speech and work to change the toxic atmosphere on social media. She acknowledged that hate speech is damaging and emphasized the importance of learning from this moment.

In her letter, Engelbert stated, “There is absolutely no room for racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere.” She recognized that many players have been subject to these issues for an extended period and expressed a desire for the league to contribute positively in addressing the challenges posed by a hostile online environment.

Jackson noted that in previous initiatives, the WNBPA has partnered with other professional athletes’ associations to examine the online abuse aimed at elite athletes. She advocated for collaboration among the WNBPA, the WNBA, corporate partners, and stakeholders to devise solutions and perhaps even take a leadership role in this critical issue.

Prior to the start of the season, the WNBA held team meetings to educate players about the league’s Mind Health platform, informing them about available mental health resources, especially as fan interaction has intensified due to the league’s rising popularity.

Regarding safety concerns stemming from potentially hostile fans, all twelve WNBA teams have security personnel in place, either as employees or contractors. The league has security representatives present in each market and at every game, with the NBA’s security team available for investigations or coordination with law enforcement if player safety is compromised.

In her letter, Engelbert reaffirmed her commitment to listening to players and collaborating on efforts to counteract abusive speech. She also promised to continue offering mental health resources and support. “Speaking out and taking action to address injustice is in the DNA of the WNBA,” Engelbert concluded, reinforcing the league’s historical commitment to social justice.