Latest news with #NoSpaceForHate
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How will Indiana Fever play differently without Caitlin Clark? Coach Stephanie White explains
Caitlin Clark's Flagrant Foul Sparks Controversy + Way Too Early Half-Baked Takes The 2025 WNBA season is underway, and off to an intense start. Zena, Ben, and Sabreena talk opening weekend - including Paige Bueckers' big debut and the Indiana Fever's dominant win over the Chicago Sky. The crew then gets deep into the explosive aftermath surrounding Caitlin Clark's flagrant foul against Angel Reese, amidst the landscape of the WNBA's No Space for Hate campaign. Plus, it's never too early for some way too early half-baked takes, which the crew dishes out based on this opening weekend of games. To wrap, Zena tests Ben and Sabreena's knowledge of record-making players and their stats. 49:01 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Fox News
27-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
WNBA investigation finds no evidence of hateful comments toward Angel Reese
The WNBA and the Indiana Fever announced that the allegations of "hateful comments" directed toward Angel Reese on May 17 were "not substantiated." Reese and her Chicago Sky faced the Fever and Caitlin Clark, and at one point, the two had to be separated after a flagrant foul by Clark against Reese. The association announced the next day that it would launch an investigation into the alleged comments. On Tuesday, the investigation closed. "We appreciate the swift and thorough process undertaken by the WNBA to investigate these allegations, which were not substantiated," the Fever said in a statement. "At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, we are committed to providing the best possible basketball experience for players and fans where hate speech has absolutely no place. Indiana is home to the world's greatest fans, and we look forward to an exciting season of Fever basketball." The WNBA launched its "No Space for Hate" campaign before the 2025 season tipped off. The campaign will include the use of AI social media monitoring tools that will help the league enforce a revised code of conduct. "As part of the comprehensive plan, the WNBA is rolling out an AI-powered technology solution to monitor social media activity, in partnership with players and teams, to help protect the community from online hate speech and harassment," it said. A revised WNBA fan code of conduct includes regulations for fans on social media and threats of sanctioning those fans from official content if they are violated. The new policy lists racist, homophobic, sexist, sexual, threatening or libelous content as "subject to blocking or deletion." Clark's Fever went 3-1 against the Sky last season and routed Chicago, 93-58, on May 17. The two teams face off three more times this season, with both of their next two at the United Center in Chicago. However, Clark is in danger of missing their next contest, slated for June 7, as Clark is said to be out for at least two weeks with a quad injury. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
National Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
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: — 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.
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
WNBA investigates 'hateful comments' reportedly directed toward Angel Reese during Sky-Fever game
The WNBA on Sunday said it launched an investigation into reports of "hateful comments" that took place during the Indiana Fever's blowout win over the Chicago Sky on Saturday. The comments were reportedly directed at Angel Reese by fans during the game. The league didn't get into specifics of what allegedly occurred during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. "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," the league said in a statement. The Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) also released a statement. "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," the union said. "Such behavior is unacceptable for our sport. "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." Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines issued a statement on the matter. "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," Raines said. "We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players." The WNBA launched its "No Space for Hate" campaign before the 2025 season tipped off. The campaign will include the use of AI social media monitoring tools that will help the league enforce a revised code of conduct. "As part of the comprehensive plan, the WNBA is rolling out an AI-powered technology solution to monitor social media activity, in partnership with players and teams, to help protect the community from online hate speech and harassment," it said. A revised WNBA fan code of conduct includes regulations for fans on social media, and threats of sanctioning those fans from official content if they are violated. The new policy lists racist, homophobic, sexist, sexual, threatening or libelous content as "subject to blocking or deletion." "Repeat violations of these guidelines may result in the violator no longer being able to follow our news, comment on our posts or send us messages," the policy reads. "Additionally, any direct threats to players, referees or other league and team personnel may be referred to law enforcement and may result in the violator being banned from all WNBA arenas and events." The Fever-Sky game featured a heated moment between Fever star Caitlin Clark and Reese in the third quarter. Clark fouled Reese hard, sparking an outburst from the Sky forward, but cooler heads prevailed. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
New York Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
WNBA looking into allegations of hateful comments toward Angel Reese: Source
The WNBA is investigating allegations of hateful comments made from the stands during Saturday's season opener between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever, the league said in a statement Sunday. The statement was in response to allegations of 'racial' comments directed toward the Chicago Sky's Angel Reese by either a fan or fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, said a source briefed on the situation, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Advertisement 'The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society,' the league statement said. 'We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.' The WNBPA released a statement saying it was aware of the allegations and supports the league's investigation. 'Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport,' the WNBPA 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.' The Fever are working closely with the WNBA on its investigation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said in a statement. 'We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players,' Raines said. The Sky did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, the WNBA announced a season-long platform designed to 'combat hate and promote respect across all WNBA spaces — from online discourse to in-arena behavior.' It created a task force of league and team representatives to focus on four areas: enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena, and league security measures; reinforced mental health resources; and alignment of core values against hate. On Saturday, a public service announcement aired inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with commissioner Cathy Engelbert discussing the league's 'No Space for Hate' policy and platform. Last season, numerous players said they dealt with a rise in harassment, including increased targeted racist, misogynistic, homophobic and threatening attacks that players said took a toll on their mental health. Around the league, key stakeholders also questioned how the league handled the influx of attention that followed the stardom of Caitlin Clark and Reese as they transitioned to the pros. Reese was booed multiple times by fans inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, peaking when Reese approached the free-throw line for a pair of shots after officials called Clark for a flagrant foul on Reese midway through the third quarter of Indiana's eventual 35-point victory. Clark was called for the flagrant 1 for what official Roy Gulbeyan said was a 'wind up, impact and follow through for the extension of the left hand to Reese's back.' Reese and Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston were both assessed offsetting technical fouls following the exchange. Advertisement Reese and Clark downplayed the incident after the game. 'Basketball play. Refs got it right. Move on,' Reese said. Clark said she went for the basketball and that she wasn't sure why the referees upgraded the common foul to a flagrant. 'I've watched a lot of basketball in my life,' she said. 'That's exactly what it was. I wasn't trying to do anything malicious. That's not the type of player I am.' The Sky and Fever will play each other again on June 7 in the second of five meetings this season.
