WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has apologised after facing backlash over her response to a question about racism and homophobia within the league. The controversy comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the rivalry between rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, which has drawn comparisons to the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson era.
During an appearance on CNBC earlier this week, Engelbert was asked how the league stays ahead of racism and homophobia in the context of the Clark-Reese rivalry. Instead of directly addressing the issue, she spoke about the positive aspects of the rivalry, saying: 'There's no more apathy. Everybody cares. It is a little bit of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall from 1979. When those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one black.'
The response drew sharp criticism from players and fans, with Las Vegas Aces star Alysha Clark posting a confused GIF on social media, and teammate Sydney Colson sharing a clip from the film Billy Madison. Sports writer Lyndsey D'Arcangelo said Engelbert 'missed it by a mile,' while others accused the league of endangering player safety.
In a letter to players obtained by ESPN, Engelbert apologised, stating: 'I was asked a question about WNBA rivalries and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I'm sorry.' She added: 'There is absolutely no room for racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hate in the WNBA or anywhere.'
Engelbert acknowledged the issue as a 'teachable moment' and expressed regret for not condemning hateful speech more clearly. The league has seen a rise in toxic online discourse this season, with players on both sides of the rivalry facing abuse.
