Dave Portnoy and Fans Slam WNBA for Race-Hate Investigations Involving Angel Reese Based on TikTok Claims

WNBA initiated an investigation after fans claimed Indiana Fever fans racially discriminated towards Chicago Sky star Angel Reese.

Dave Portnoy and Fans Slam WNBA for Race-Hate Investigations Involving Angel Reese Based on TikTok Claims

Dave Portnoy slams Angel Reese's followers for alleging racial discrimination out of nothing (Image via FirstSportz)

When Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese met for the first time in their sophomore season, the WNBA hoped that their rivalry would return to help them grow just like it did in the 2024 season. It did, as the two tussled during the battle and sent basketball fans into a frenzy.

Even though most of the noise surrounding that tussle was to figure out who among the two standout young stars was more aggressive, something else was brewing after the game. Reports of racist attacks grew on social media, with some claiming that they heard ‘monkey chants’ being directed at Reese while she was shooting free throws.

This prompted the WNBA to launch an investigation as fans wanted justice of some sort. They claimed that the Indiana Fever fanbase had again proved that they were doing everything possible to insult and humiliate Caitlin Clark‘s opponents.

More than a week after that game, fans were still demanding answers as another race-based theory started to brew from right-wingers who claimed that Black athletes were taking their frustrations out on Clark. But earlier today, the Associated Press got their hands on an update from the WNBA.

They revealed that the WNBA could not ‘substantiate claims that racist fan behavior took place’. This means that despite having access to multiple camera and microphone angles and eye-witness accounts, the league could not find evidence to support those claims. This response ticked off a lot of WNBA fans.

Dave Portnoy leads fans’ outrage towards WNBA for bowing to ‘TikTok claims’

When this response was revealed, basketball fans turned their anger towards the WNBA. They believe the league brought in more racial divide than what existed, just because of some claims. Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy took it a step further and ranted that the league believed some claims on TikTok.

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark battles are becoming battles of something else
Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark battles are becoming battles of something else (Image via WNBA/X)

Instead of trusting its own broadcast coverage, he believes the league bowed down to those social media claims, even though those inside the arena never heard anything. Since he was there, sitting in the front row, Portnoy would have heard something. He believes this was Angel Reese‘s supporters who tried to make something out of nothing. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Fans did not appreciate how the WNBA agreed to this investigation based on claims from people who were not even inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse during that game. If anything had happened, those seated as well as those watching from home would have caught it.

Former All-Star apologizes for fanning racial discrimination claims that led to investigation

Another complaint fans had was that some members of the media had also talked about the need for an investigation. They believed that, as per their sources, some racially discriminatory noises did emanate inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse. ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike was one of them, and now, after the investigation concluded, she decided to post a video.

I am sorry that my message was in the heat of the moment. It was based on 1st-hand conversations with people very close to the situation who raised real concerns. I felt like it was important and necessary to acknowledge those allegations. I totally recognize that it may have impacted fans in a way that I did not anticipate.

Chiney Ogwumike posted on X

The former 2-time All-Star acknowledged that fanning those flames was not the way to do it. But she also explained where she came from and how it could impact the game. Later on she talked about how she enjoyed playing in Indiana.

All in all, this post seemed like she was apologizing for playing a part in blowing up those fan theories. But it was also a way for her to try and make peace with the Fever fan base. After this situation, Gainbridge Fieldhouse might roar louder than ever.

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