Brittney Griner explained how the WNBA can improve itself, in terms of helping its players feel safer after more and more players have been subjected to abuse this season.
Speaking to reporters after the Phoenix Mercury’s season was ended by the Minnesota Lynx, the star center made it clear the WNBA has to pursue “quick action” rather than putting out a statement that was “way overdue.” The league condemned “racist, derogatory or threatening comments” aimed at its players.
“I mean there’s definitely things you can do on social media where you can limit some of the things that are seen,” Griner said.
“You can put in key words that when somebody puts in a comment that should not be on the page because that doesn’t reflect what we stand for, who we are as a league. But it’s all up and down the league’s page. But I get it. It’s all about the likes, it’s all about the number of comments, no matter how good or bad those comments are.
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“I don’t think it’s right but yeah, just being swift with it. Making a statement, making a stand. Fans that come to games and they want to show out in the wrong way, they don’t need to be in there and that should be around for everybody, not just certain arenas or certain players. It needs to be upheld for everybody because we all deserve to play in a safe environment. We’re out here to play and not worry about racial and just sexist comments.”
Angel Reese also shared her thoughts on the recent conversation surrounding fans sending racist messages to WNBA stars this season after a clip circulated on social media with ESPN’s Andraya Carter explaining how there is “no space” in the WNBA community for fans who are simply there to hate on the players and share racist messages.
“For the past 2 years, the media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative,” Reese posted on X. “They allowed this. This was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed it to ho happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things.
Angel Reese does not enjoy the racial discourse around the WNBA this season (
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Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
“This isn’t ok at all. Anything beyond criticism about playing the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to all the players that have/continue to experience the same things I have. At the end of the day, I don’t want an apology nor do I think this will ever stop but something has to change.”
Reese’s social media posts come after Fever head coach Christie Sides made an emotional statement regarding the abuse her players and other WNBA stars, such as the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas, have faced from Indiana’s fans. “It’s a lot of hurtful speech out there and it’s happening and it’s unacceptable for any of these guys,” Sides told reporters shortly after the Fever were eliminated from the playoffs.
“This is basketball and this is their job and they’re doing the best they can. When it gets personal to me, I mean there’s no reason and these guys have to listen and watch that. … It is just not acceptable when it gets personal for these players to have to deal with that,” the head coach said.
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Thomas also spoke out about the racist attacks she received after the Sun’s playoff series against the Fever. In particular, the Olympian mentioned how the abuse she received was the worst in her 11-year career.
“It’s unacceptable, honestly, and there’s no place for it,” Thomas posted. “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. Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial names.
“It’s uncalled for. Something needs to be done, whether it’s them checking their fans or this league checking, there’s no time for it anymore.”
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