Clark condemns WNBA hate, targets Sunday return
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Caitlin Clark broke her silence Friday condemning harassment and hate directed at her, the Indiana Fever, and opposing WNBA players, saying 'none of that is OK' and that 'there should never be question of character.'
- Alyssa Thomas received death threats and racial slurs after being suspended one game for contacting Clark's throat with her fist during the Phoenix Mercury's 111-109 win on June 22.
- Fever coach Stephanie White said the league has faced 'so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia -- straight up hateful nonsense' in a two-minute opening statement at practice Wednesday.
- The WNBA has implemented AI software to identify and respond to threats, harassment, and hate across social media platforms, and has expanded confidential mental health resources for players.
- The WNBPA sent members a letter obtained by the AP unequivocally condemning threats, harassment, and death threats, and reminding players that both teams and the union have security resources available.
- Clark will be on the sidelines for Sunday's matchup against the Las Vegas Aces while continuing to rehab a back injury sustained in the Mercury game, though she got through Friday's practice and said she is 'feeling a lot better' and 'optimistic about returning soon.'
Why it matters: With the WNBA's biggest star publicly calling out toxicity and the players' union formally condemning death threats, the league is now under pressure to treat harassment as a player-safety issue rather than a side story. Clark's frustration that coverage of a single incident dominated the week highlights a tension between viral moments and the structural problem the WNBA's new AI and mental health resources are meant to address.
