The WNBA spotlight burned a little hotter this weekend—and not just because of the action on the court. While WNBPA Vice President Breanna Stewart was repping her New York roots at Yankee Stadium, the league was dealing with something much more serious.
Allegations of racist comments directed at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during a game against the Indiana Fever have sparked an official investigation. Stewart didn’t stay quiet.
Breanna Stewart’s Stance: ‘Respect the Space of One Another’
Rivalries are part of what makes sports exciting. And Stewart, no stranger to big moments, had one of her own Sunday when she threw out the first pitch at a Subway Series game between the Yankees and Mets. But before stepping on the mound in her custom Yankees jersey, she addressed something much more important: the racist comments allegedly aimed at Reese.
Breanna Stewart is about to throw out the first pitch here at Yankee Stadium, and she’s here rocking her Liberty championship ring. pic.twitter.com/K2uovcyvEU
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich)
The incident happened Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Things got heated in the third quarter after the Fever’s Caitlin Clark committed a hard foul on Reese, sending her crashing to the floor.
You be the ref
This was called a flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark.
Should it have been? pic.twitter.com/cqvhjltmcM
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling)
Reese popped up quickly and looked ready to confront Clark, but teammates stepped in before anything escalated. Clark was given a flagrant foul, while Reese and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston got technicals.
Throughout the game, Reese was booed by fans. Then came reports of racist comments from the crowd—remarks that the WNBA has now confirmed it is investigating. Stewart said she didn’t know every detail, but her message was clear: rivalries are fun—until they cross the line.
“There comes a line, and as athletes and as fans, we have to make sure we continue to respect the space of one another,” Stewart said.
WNBPA and WNBA Speak Loud and Clear
Stewart wasn’t just speaking as a player. She spoke as Vice President of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. And her words echoed the league and union’s stance: there’s no room for hate in the WNBA.
MORE: WNBA Launches Investigation Into Alleged Racial Comment
“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 following is a statement from the WNBA regarding alleged hateful fan comments at yesterday’s Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever game:
“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…
— WNBA Communications (@WNBAComms)
Stewart used her platform to remind fans what rivalries should be about—passion, not prejudice. She has witnessed Liberty fans booing the Aces in the season opener and how Yankees fans gave Juan Soto the cold shoulder this weekend. That’s all part of the game.
But hate? That’s where the line gets crossed. And if the allegations are proven true, it won’t just impact the Clark-Reese rivalry—it’ll leave a stain on the sport itself.