The WNBA announced on Tuesday it concluded its investigation into alleged racist fan behavior directed toward Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese.
“Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video of the game, we have not substantiated it,” the statement, obtained by The Washington Post’s Kareem Copeland, read.
The alleged slurs happened during the Sky’s opening game against the Indiana Fever. It’s unclear what was said and when it happened.
Fever star Caitlin Clark said that while she didn’t hear anything during the game, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
“There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” Clark recently told reporters, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. “And certainly we want every person who comes into our arena — whether a player, whether a fan — to have a great experience. … Hopefully the investigation — we’ll leave that up to (the WNBA) to find anything and take proper action if so.”
The Fever released a statement on Tuesday after the WNBA’s findings.
“We appreciate the swift and thorough process undertaken by the WNBA to investigate these allegations, which were not substantiated,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said in a statement obtained by women’s basketball reporter Khristina Williams. “At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, we are committed to providing the best possible basketball experience for players and fans where hate speech has absolutely no place. Indiana is home to the world’s greatest fans, and we look forward to an exciting season of Fever basketball.”
While the WNBA was unable to find conclusive evidence, the league said it is still committed to “fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.”
Earlier this year, the WNBA launched its “No Space for Hate” initiative, which was designed to help combat hate as well as promote respect in WNBA spaces — both online and in arenas.
