The WNBA Issue Apology to Angel Reese for Not Finding Anything Racist During Fever Game
In an emotional press conference on Wednesday, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert offered a heartfelt apology to Chicago Sky star Angel Reese after the league's investigation was unable to confirm allegations of racist remarks during her season opener against the Indiana Fever.
"This was incredibly difficult for us," Engelbert said, clearly moved by the moment.
"We genuinely regret not finding any evidence of the alleged racism during that particular game, despite our thorough efforts. We know this isn't the outcome Angel or anyone else wanted, and we deeply empathize with her frustration."
"Anonymous sources" raised concerns following a difficult opening game loss, suggesting that some form of racism occurred in the Indianapolis stadium during the loss. The matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Fever, which ended decisively in Indiana’s favor, quickly sparked heated discussions both on and off the court.
Engelbert expressed solidarity with Reese, emphasizing the league’s ongoing commitment to supporting unsubstantiated claims.
"We stand firmly with Angel, and anonymous sources that may or may not be Angel in their continued fight. Although this specific incident didn’t yield the racist evidence needed, we assure her and all players that the WNBA remains vigilant in finding it down the road. The season is long, and we'll hopefully get em next time."
She concluded optimistically, "Stay strong, Angel. Keep fighting the good fight. Rest assured, we're here for you anytime you ever want to throw an entire fanbase and city under the bus, because you're frustrated after a loss."
