Commissioner says WNBA has a ‘Bird-Magic moment’ with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese. Players say she blew it

Angel Reese, left, and Caitlin Clark pose for photos before the WNBA draft on April 15 in New York. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert is being criticized by some of the league’s players and their union for what she said — and didn’t say — in response to a question about the ugly nature of comments made by fans on social media regarding players like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. While interviewing Engelbert on Monday’s episode of “Power Lunch” on CNBC, anchor Tyler Mathisen mentioned that an on-court rivalry between the rookie superstars seems “to have taken a darker turn, a more menacing turn” among some fans on social media, “where race has been introduced into the conversation, where sexuality is sometimes introduced into the conversation.” Mathisen asked Engelbert: “How do you try and stay ahead of that, try and tamp it down or act as a league when two of your most visible players are involved — not personally, it would seem, but their fan bases are involved — in saying some very uncharitable things about the other?” Engelbert’s response focused mainly on how such rivalries actually can be beneficial to the league. “Here is the answer that the Commissioner should have provided to the very clear question regarding the racism, misogyny, and harassment experienced by the Players: There is absolutely no place in sport — or in life — for the vile hate, racist language, homophobic comments, and the misogynistic attacks our players are facing on social media,” Jackson said in a statement Tuesday. “Big difference.” Teammate Alysha Clark told ESPN: “I think there was an opportunity for her to really be able to take hold of what’s been going on and let people know that regardless of the amount of dollars that are coming in, regardless of whatever, racism and misogyny and homophobia, they have no place in our league, and they have no place regardless of how popular our sport is.” She added: “It’s taken a darker turn in terms of the types of comments and the vitriol that’s coming through to the players, and it’s not OK.