WNBA commissioner vows to deal with harassment and discrimination against players
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert devoted the first important part of her news conference at the league's All-Star Game to addressing the “abuse” of players.
He said the league will take “next steps” to address “all aspects” of the player experience on the court, off the court and online.
“Racism, misogyny, homophobia, harassment and threats against our players have no place in sports or anywhere else,” Engelbert said, adding that these issues have intensified in recent weeks but have been there since “the moment I walked in the door.
“There's a lot of work to be done, and we need to make sure we do it.”
CAITLIN CLARK MAKES WNBA HISTORY WITH RECORD-BREAKING GAME IN POST-QUARTERLY CUTS
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks before the WNBA basketball draft in New York on April 13, 2026. (Pamela Smith/AP)
Many WNBA fans have expressed concern over the alleged racist attack on Caitlin Clark in recent weeks after she was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas during a June 24 game.
Some fans have raised concerns about racist comments and online threats directed at Thomas and other players, including Aces player Chelsea Gray, who was the target of an alleged racial slur in an Instagram DM earlier this month.
Critics have called for Engelbert to be fired for his handling of the league's controversies this season and in years past. Engelbert was asked if he expects to be commissioner at the start of the 2027 season. He didn't answer yes or no.
REPUBLICAN LAWYERS REPEAL WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT TO PROTECT CAITLIN CLARK
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks during a news conference before the WNBA All-Star basketball game July 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
“I'm blessed to lead this league in this time of incredible growth. … I'm going to continue to do my job, I've got a strategy because it's been working,” he said.
When asked the question of how the league will deal with player safety, Engelbert began talking about “keyboard warriors.”
“Someone gave me this term, 'keyboard warriors.' They are very willing to get their messages across to our players, whether through DMs, or through other means. So, again, we will try to attack it, and we will communicate more with the players about that,” he said.
Engelbert answered a question about whether the WNBA would make investigations, fines and suspensions more transparent, but didn't give a clear answer to that, repeating the line, “We have procedures.”
Engelbert was not asked any questions about a recent USA Today column that criticized Clark for his handling of hard contact and questionable refereeing decisions while calling for the execution of Emmett Till.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
SUBSCRIBE FOR THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS
He also wasn't asked any other questions about Clark, Thomas' at Clark's throat or the recent letter sent to the league by 11 GOP lawmakers demanding more accountability for Clark's physical handling.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Cathy Engelbert, WNBA commissioner, tees off on the 18th hole in the first round of the 2026 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 10, 2026, in Stateline, Nev. (Photos by Al Chang/ISI)
The commissioner was also not questioned about the allegations that he canceled an interview on the Dan Patrick Show in early July.
Engelbert announced that the WNBA will operate a full replay facility starting in 2027 during her press conference.
