Chicago SkyAll-StarAngel Reesesays "there's no place in this league" for racism and discrimination after hateful comments directed her wayduring the Sky's season openeragainst theIndiana Feverled to a league-wide investigation. "It's tough … and obviously in the moment it's hard to hear,"Reese told reporterson Tuesday when asked how the comments affected her play on Saturday. But Reese credited her "support system" with aiding her: "I've gone through so many different things in the past couple of years of my life, but I think … being part of an organization that really supports me and loves me is something that I couldn't imagine not being part of." FollowingChicago's 93-58 loss to Indianaat Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, theWNBA launched an investigation into fan conduct, saying, "The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination … We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter." Both theSkyandFeverorganizations welcomed the investigation and pledged to cooperate. The WNBA didn't specify the allegations, but a person with knowledge of the situationtold IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the league is looking into racist comments directed at Reese by fan(s) in the crowd. The league has not issued a timeline for the investigation and will not make an announcement about findings until it is complete. WNBA INVESTIGATESalleged hateful comments made toward Angel Reese during Fever vs. Sky Angel Reese took 3 questions about the WNBA opening an investigation into reported hate speech directed at her during the Sky-Fever game Saturday. After that a Sky media rep quickly responded "next question" when reporters asked follow ups.#Skypic.twitter.com/qsREFpJCXk — Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman)May 20, 2025 ANGEL REESEcalls out lack of action against racism WNBA players have faced Reese applauded the league and the Sky for taking quick action, pointing to the WNBA's recently-launched "No Space for Hate" initiative that aims to combat hate and promote respect across the league afterracism, discriminatory comments and bullyingreached a boiling point in the league during the 2024 season. "I think the WNBA and our team and our organization has done a great job supporting me. I've had communication from everyone, from so many people across this league," Reese said. "Going through this process, obviously if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. I think they've done a great job supporting us in this." Reese added: "The (WNBA) understands that this is the priority … I believe every player in this league deserves to be treated with respect and want to come to work and just have fun, and have a great environment to work at." The "No Space for Hate" initiative features a task force of league and team representatives that focuses on "enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena, and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment of core against hate," the WNBA announced last week. Reese and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark have frequently been pitted against each other dating back to their collegiate days at LSU and Iowa, respectively. The popularity surrounding Reese and Clark has translated to increased viewership and support for the league, but it hasn't always been support in good faith. In September, Reese was vocal about lack of action by the league and media against racism against players, including her. "The media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative,"she wrote on Xat the time. "They allowed this. This was beneficial to them... Y'all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started." "I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I've also allowed this to happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things,"Reese wrote at the time. "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." Contributing: Christine Brennan This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Angel Reese on WNBA investigation into hate speech: 'There's no place'
