After thorough examination, WNBA did not discover any traces of 'Discriminatory Audience Conduct' as per the investigation conclusion.
The WNBA has concluded its investigation into alleged racist fan behavior during the May 17 contest between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, reporting that it could not substantiate the claims.
In a statement, the league revealed that an exhaustive probe involved gathering information from relevant fans, team, and arena staff, as well as a review of the game's audio and video footage. Despite this thorough examination, no evidence of racist comments directed at Chicago Sky's Angel Reese was found.
The absence of substantiated evidence did not deter the WNBA from reiterating its dedication to fostering a welcoming and harmonious environment for all participants and attendees. The league expressed its continued commitment to vigilantly enforce its fan conduct code.
The investigation had stemmed from "hateful fan comments" that were said to have arisen following Caitlin Clark's foul on Angel Reese in the third quarter of their season opener. Reese objected to the foul, which was later upgraded to a flagrant 1, prompting technical fouls for both Reese and Indiana's Aliyah Boston as tensions escalated.
Although neither team mentioned or alluded to any fan remarks in the postgame news conferences following Indiana's 93-58 victory, the incident had sparked widespread discussion on social media, leading the WNBA to promised an investigation.
In response to the league's findings, both the Fever and Sky issued statements expressing gratitude for the swift and systematic examination undertaken by the WNB. The Fever's statement underscored their mission to deliver an optimal basketball experience for all, with no tolerance for hate speech, while the Sky commended the league and the Fever for their prompt action in investigating the matter. Their statements also emphasized the significance of the WNBA's ongoing efforts to curb hate speech at all events.
The WNBA announced that although the investigation found no evidence of racist comments directed at Chicago Sky's Angel Reese during the May 17 game, they remain committed to enforcing their fan conduct code and fostering a welcoming sports environment. Following the investigation and the WNBA's findings, both the Fever and Sky expressed gratitude for the thorough examination and reaffirmed their support for the league's ongoing efforts to combat hate speech in basketball.
