WNBA investigating racial slurs by fans made at Angel Reese during Indiana game
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA is investigating racial comments directed toward Angel Reese by fans during the Chicago Sky's loss to Caitlin Clark and the Fever at Indiana on Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Article content
Article content
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the league had not publicly identified the subject of the taunts or who made the allegations.
Article content
'The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society,' the league said in a statement. 'We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.'
Article content
A statement from the WNBA on yesterday's Sky vs Fever game in Indianapolis: pic.twitter.com/5ldZDHAeFr
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) May 18, 2025
Article content
Reese, who is Black, and Clark, who is white, met for the seventh time in their ongoing — and much-talked-about — rivalry. Clark was named Rookie of the Year last season and Reese finished second in the voting.
Article content
The WNBA Players Union released a statement soon after the league's comment on the matter.
Article content
'The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday's game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA's current investigation into this matter. Such behaviour is unacceptable in our sport,' the statement said. 'Under the WNBA's 'No Space for Hate' policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.'
Article content
Sky president and CEO Adam Fox said later Sunday in a statement that the organization welcomes the league's investigation.
Article content
'We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players, and we encourage the league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players,' he said.
Article content
The Sky and Fever will play four more times during the regular season.
Article content
'We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday's game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation,' the Fever said in a statement. 'We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.'
Article content
Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the 93-58 loss to the Fever. The Sky forward and Clark had an incident on the court with 4:38 left in the third quarter. It started with Reese grabbing an offensive rebound and Clark slapping Reese's arm hard enough to jar the ball loose and knock Reese to floor.
Article content
When Reese got up, she tried to confront Clark before Indiana center Aliyah Boston stepped in between the players. Clark's third personal foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, while Boston and Reese each drew technical fouls following a replay review by the referees.
Article content
Both players downplayed the play after the game.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Springer hits go-ahead homer in Blue Jays' 5-4 win over Twins
Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer (4) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — George Springer hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Saturday. Springer went deep against Twins reliever Griffin Jax (1-4), who allowed a leadoff double to Addison Barger one at-bat earlier. Springer's 10th homer of the season made it 4-3 just as a light rain started falling at Target Field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tacked on an insurance run with a two-out RBI single in the ninth off Twins closer Jhoan Durán. Chad Green (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win. Jeff Hoffman allowed a solo homer in the ninth to Kody Clemens but still earned his 15th save. Minnesota took a 3-2 lead in the sixth on a solo home run by Matt Wallner. The Twins DH went deep to right against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, his second homer in the past three days. Gausman didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning. The Twins' first hit by Ryan Jeffers sparked a two-run inning that tied the game. Twins starter Chris Paddack allowed runs in each of the first two innings but settled down after that. Paddack faced the minimum in the third and fifth innings. Minnesota had the bases loaded in the seventh but came up empty as Carlos Correa flew out to end the threat. Key moment Barger's leadoff double helped set the tone in the eighth. He found plenty of space in left field to easily put the tying run in scoring position against Jax. Key stat With a no-decision in Saturday's game, Gausman has just one win in 14 career starts against the Twins. He has a career 6.44 ERA versus Minnesota. Up next Toronto RHP Bowden Francis (2-7, 5.84 ERA) takes the mound for Sunday's series finale, looking for his first win since April 18. The Twins will counter with RHP Joe Ryan (6-2, 2.91), who has won four of his last five starts. Tyler Mason, The Associated Press
CBC
2 hours ago
- CBC
U.S. immigration authorities extend raid activity in Los Angeles area amid protests
U.S. immigration authorities extended activity in the Los Angeles area on Saturday in the wake of protests at a federal detention facility and a police response that included tear gas, flash-bangs and the arrest of a union leader. Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside an industrial park in the city of Paramount, Calif., deploying tear gas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street, some jeering at authorities while recording the events on smartphones. "ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are," a woman announced through a megaphone, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "You are not welcome here." One hand-held sign said, "No Human Being Is Illegal." The boulevard was closed to traffic as U.S. Border Patrol circulated through the area. ICE representatives did not respond immediately to email inquiries about weekend enforcement activities." Arrests by immigration authorities in Los Angeles come as U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfil promises to carry out mass deportations across the country. On Friday, ICE officers arrested more than 40 people as they executed search warrants at multiple locations, including outside a clothing warehouse, where a tense scene unfolded as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the activity was meant to "sow terror" in the nation's second-largest city. In a statement on Saturday, ICE acting director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city's response to protests. "Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement," Lyons said in a statement. "Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens." Protesters gathered Friday evening outside a federal detention centre in Los Angeles, where lawyers said those arrested had been taken, chanting "set them free, let them stay!" Other protesters held signs that said "ICE out of LA!" and led chants and shouted from megaphones. Some scrawled graffiti on the building facade. Federal agents executed search warrants at three locations, including a warehouse in the fashion district of Los Angeles, after a judge found there was probable cause the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Clashes resume in Los Angeles area as immigration enforcement draws new protests
Police detain a protester blocking the garage entrance of the Los Angeles Federal Building, following multiple detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Daniel Cole/Reuters via CNN Newsource) For a second consecutive day, tear gas and flash bangs have been used to disperse protests over immigration activity in the Los Angeles area. On Saturday, protesters gathered in Paramount, California. Assemblymember José Luis Solache said four people were arrested. The FBI is investigating alleged instances of demonstrators obstructing immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles Friday and Saturday, the bureau's deputy director, Dan Bongino, said on social media Saturday. Los Angeles portest Protesters push a garbage cart as they try to block the garage entrance of the Los Angeles Federal Building. (Daniel Cole/Reuters via CNN Newsource) The Department of Justice criticized California officials as protests over federal immigration enforcement operations entered a second day Saturday. 'The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless rioters is despicable and Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom must call for it to end. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens,' said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a Saturday statement. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it was not involved in immigration enforcement and was working to ensure the safety of the public. 'The Sheriff's Department was not involved in any federal law enforcement operations or actions and responded solely for traffic and crowd control management,' the LASD said in a statement. Protests started Friday The protests started Friday afternoon. Police on Friday night issued a citywide tactical alert nearly two hours after declaring protests across the downtown area unlawful assemblies. 'The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander,' LAPD's Central Division wrote in a post on X. Videos of the scene show law enforcement officers in riot gear, wielding batons, holding shields and throwing smoke bombs into the crowd. Protesters chanted 'Free them all' and held signs with messages including 'Full Rights for All Immigrants' and 'Stop the Deportations.' Video shows several officers in riot gear pinning at least one person to the ground. Los Angeles protests Los Angeles Police Department officers move to disperse a protest. (Jae C. Hong/AP via CNN Newsource) The protest came after at least 44 people were arrested by federal immigration agents earlier in the day, The Associated Press reported, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers executed search warrants at three locations, according to a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations. The arrests come amid U.S. President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration, which has involved waves of raids and deportations across the country. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass characterized the immigration arrests as 'mass chaos,' according to CNN affiliate KABC. The mayor said she hadn't been told about the raids in advance. 'It sows a sense of terror throughout the community,' she said. 'ICE was literally chasing people down the street.' The federal law enforcement activity came on the same day multiple sources told CNN the Trump administration is preparing for 'large-scale' cancellation of federal funds for California. CNN has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for further information. One of the Friday raids was in the city's Fashion District, where agents served a search warrant after a judge determined a business was allegedly using fictitious documents for some of its workers, U.S. Attorney's office spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy told CNN. Union leader arrested David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California, was arrested by federal agents after allegedly attempting to obstruct their access at a worksite, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said in a post on X. 'Let me be clear: I don't care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted,' Essayli said. After being treated for injuries from his arrest, Huerta released a statement condemning the citywide raids. 'Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals,' he said. 'We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.' 'No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,' California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement responding to Huerta's arrest, describing the union president as a 'respected leader, a patriot and an advocate for working people.' Bass said Friday's immigration arrests were different from previous, more organized actions. 'I've been really worried about this from the beginning, and as far as I know, this is the first time this has happened in our city like this,' she told KABC. 'We know ICE has been here, but it's been for targeted arrests; this was just mass chaos.' 'It sows a sense of chaos in our city, and a sense of terror, and it's just unacceptable.' The American Civil Liberties Union called on 'elected officials to uphold their commitment to all Angelenos — immigrants and non-immigrants alike — by taking all action necessary to grind this oppressive and vile paramilitary operation to a halt and keep our city safe and whole' in a Friday statement. Protesters face off with police Protesters gathered outside the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles at roughly 4 p.m., CNN affiliate KABC reported. At one point, hundreds of activists began marching toward a detention facility on Temple Street. Los Angeles protest Protesters hold placards as they gather around the Los Angeles Federal Building. (Daniel Cole/Reuters via CNN Newsource) One video obtained by CNN shows protesters retreating from the building's entrance after coming face-to-face with the police guarding it. Several projectiles are thrown at officers equipped with body armor and protective shields. Other videos show the detention center sprayed with anti-ICE graffiti, with some protesters blocking LAPD vehicles close by. Families and friends who had loved ones taken by immigration authorities visited the detention center to learn more about their status, KABC reported. A young woman who spoke with the outlet said she went to the building in tears after her father was taken by federal agents. The LAPD declared an unlawful assembly around 7 p.m. and warned demonstrators were subject to arrest if they remained in the area. Aerial footage from KABC shows law enforcement throwing smoke bombs on a street to disperse people so they could make way for SUVs and military-style vehicles. 'While the LAPD will continue to have a visible presence in all our communities to ensure public safety, we will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual's immigration status,' Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement about the immigration enforcement activities. 'I want everyone, including our immigrant community, to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one's immigration status.' Newsom said in a Saturday statement, 'Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel.' 'Donald Trump's chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America's economy,' the governor said. Article by Karina Tsui and Zoe Sottile.
