UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Alyssa Thomas and Stephanie White said racist and homophobic comments directed at WNBA players need to stop.

The Connecticut Sun star and coach commented after their team finished off a sweep of the Indiana Fever in the opening round of the playoffs Wednesday night.

“I think that in my 11-year career I never experienced the racial comments like from the Indiana Fever fan base,” she said. “It’s unacceptable and honestly there’s no place for it. We’ve been professional throughout the whole entire thing, but I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it.”

Thomas knows that the game has grown this year with many new fans watching on television and in the stands. But the All-Star forward doesn’t want fans that are disrespectful to the players in the game.

“Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial things,” she said.

Alyssa Thomas called out the hate that Sun players have faced from the Fever fanbase, saying she’s never experienced these type of racial comments before:

“It’s uncalled for, and something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans, or the league.” pic.twitter.com/qpqhkThW1p

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 26, 2024

White defended her team and its players saying that its more than just them getting attacked.

“We’ve seen a lot of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia throughout the course of our country,” White said. “Sport is no exception, and it’s unacceptable to be quite honest.”

White, who played and coached in Indiana, applauded her team and other franchises around the league for staying professional and not going back at the attacks.

“It’s a lot of teams in our league and a lot of athletes, not just in our league that get attacked like this,” she said. “We continue to encourage them to silence the noise, control what they can control.”

Stephanie White spoke extensively on the hate her players (and other W players) have faced:

“We in the media have to do a better job of not allowing trolls in social media to become the story. I feel like we have allowed trolls in social media to frame the narrative of what the… pic.twitter.com/DnnS0DINlC

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) September 26, 2024

Indiana coach Christie Sides has seen her players get attacked on social media as well.

“It’s a lot of hurtful, hateful speech out there that’s happening, and it’s unacceptable,” she said. “This is basketball, and this is their job, and they’re doing the best they can. And when it gets personal to me, there’s no reason for it. These guys have to listen and watch — social media is their life. That’s just what they do. And they have to read and see these things constantly, and just all the stories that are made up of what people see or think they see. It is just not acceptable when it gets personal.”

What Christie Sides said at the post-game presser is important.

All of these women — and every athlete — should be able to do their jobs without having to deal with harassment, name-calling, or racism. In person or online. It’s unacceptable & harmful. Words matter. pic.twitter.com/3VXqkvcHwC

— Bri Lewerke (@brilewerke) September 26, 2024

The WNBA issued a statement on social media defending its players shortly after Thomas’ and White’s postgame comments.

“The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world,” the statement read. “While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league.”

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

The statement went on to say that the league would involve law enforcement as necessary.

WNBA players and their union spoke out against Commissioner Cathy Engelbert a few weeks ago when she failed to condemn racist and bitter criticism from fans toward the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry during a TV interview. She later clarified that she’s vehemently opposed to “hate or racism.”

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost


source

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Fans Can’t Get Enough Of Pop-Tart Football Mascot Who Craved Being Eaten

“I’m going to think of this clip any time I toast a…

Tom Brady Says NFL Is Full Of 'Mediocrity' Now That He Isn't In It

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand…

Big-Time Lawyer Representing Girl At Center Of Allegations Against Josh Giddey

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand…

NBA Investigates Josh Giddey Over Alleged Inappropriate Relationship With Minor

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand…