WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert promised players Friday that she and the league will show leadership in combating abusive speech players experience on social media.
Engelbert also apologized to players for an interview he gave Monday on CNBC in which he focused on the popularity of rivalries but did not condemn the abusive rhetoric players have faced.
“I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and my response was simply not appropriate and I am sorry,” Engelbert wrote to the players in a letter obtained by ESPN. “I regret that I did not clearly and definitively express my condemnation of the hate speech that is too often directed at WNBA players on social media.”
The letter, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was sent to all WNBA players. Engelbert also had conversations with some players, a league source told ESPN.
On CNBC's “Power Lunch” show on Monday, Engelbert was asked about the “more threatening” tone some fans take on social media, especially when discussing race or sexuality. Engelbert focused instead on high-profile rookies Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, and how rivalries generate interest among fans.
WNBA players reacted on social media and in interviews with disappointment and frustration that Engelbert has not spoken out directly against the abusive language. Women's National Basketball Players Association executive director Terri Jackson released a statement Tuesday saying Engelbert failed to condemn the “racism, misogyny and harassment” the players have experienced.
Jackson told ESPN that the players' association felt that because the league hadn't sent a message in trying to set the tone for fan conduct on social media, the players were left to address it alone.
“And we find it unacceptable to encourage players to promote this league and participate and/or post on social media to promote it, and then leave players unprotected in the manner that they have done,” Jackson said.
“We had hoped that the league would recognize the negative impact it was having on players and its business and would have proactively addressed this situation earlier in the season. You may not be able to control what is said or posted on social media, but you can send a message that shows you are paying attention, that states that racism, bias and hate are unacceptable and unwelcome, that shows you stand in solidarity with the players.”
In Friday's letter, Engelbert promised the league will always do that going forward.
“I should have said directly and unequivocally that hate speech is harmful,” she wrote. “This is a teachable moment that I accept with humility. There is no place for racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere else.”
“I know many of you have been dealing with this for a long time. I want us as a league to do our part to change the overly toxic and abusive nature of discourse on social media.”
Jackson said the WNBPA has worked with other professional players' associations in the past on a project that studied online abuse targeting elite athletes and ways to protect them as workers.
“Perhaps the WNBPA and WNBA, their corporate partners and other relevant stakeholders can come together and consider potential solutions and perhaps even lead on this issue,” Jackson said.
Prior to this season, the WNBA held team awareness meetings with each franchise to provide players with information about the league’s Mental Health platform and advise them on mental wellness resources available to them, especially as the league has become more popular in recent years and has even more fan interaction.
Regarding concerns about potential player safety issues from potentially abusive fans, all 12 teams have security personnel who are either team employees or contractors. The WNBA has security representatives in every market and at every game. NBA Security is also a resource available to provide investigation, research or coordination with law enforcement in the event of player safety issues.
Engelbert, in his letter, said he pledged that the league will listen to players and work with them to combat abusive rhetoric and continue to provide mental health resources and guidance.
“Raising our voice and taking action to address injustice is in the WNBA's DNA,” Engelbert wrote. “Throughout our history, it has been central to the work we all do.”
