WNBA commissioner vows to address harassment and racism against players

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert dedicated the first serious portion of her news conference at the league’s All-Star game to addressing “harassment” against players. 

She said the league will be implementing “next steps” to address “every aspect” of player experience on the court, off the court and online.”

“The racism, the misogyny, the homophobia, the harassment and threats directed to our players has no place in sport or anywhere else,” Engelbert said, adding the issues have intensified in recent weeks but have also been present since “the moment I walked in the door.

“There’s more work to do, and we need to make sure we’re doing it.”

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Many WNBA fans have raised concern over suspected racially-charged attacks on phenom Caitlin Clark in recent weeks after she was punched in the throat by Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas during a game June 24.

Other fans have expressed concern over racially-charged comments and threats online directed at Thomas and other players, including Aces player Chelsea Gray, who was targeted by alleged racial insult in an Instagram DM earlier this month.

Critics have suggested Engelbert be fired for her handling of the league’s controversies this season and in recent years. Engelbert was asked if she expects to be commissioner at the start of the 2027 season. She did not give a yes or a no answer.

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“I’m so blessed to be at the helm of this league during this incredible hyper-growth period. … I will just continue to just do my job, execute the strategy because it has been working,” she said.

When asked a question about how the league will address player security, Engelbert launched into a rant about “keyboard warriors.”

“Someone gave me this term, ‘keyboard warriors.’ They’re very, very adamant to get their messages through to our players, whether it’s through DMs, whether it’s through other means. So, again, we’re gonna try to attack it, and we’re gonna communicate a lot more with the players on that,” she said.

Engelbert addressed a question of whether the WNBA will make investigations, fines and suspensions more transparent, but she did not give a clear answer on that either, while frequently repeating the line, “We have processes.”

Engelbert was not asked any questions about a recent USA Today column that criticized Clark for her handling of hard contact and questionable referee decisions while invoking the murder of Emmett Till.

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She was also not asked any other questions specifically about Clark, Thomas’ punch to Clark’s throat or a recent letter sent to the league by 11 GOP lawmakers pressing for greater accountability regarding the physical treatment against Clark.

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The commissioner was also not asked about allegedly canceling an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show” in early July.

Engelbert announced that the WNBA will implement a full replay center beginning in 2027 during her press conference.