The WNBA has wrapped up its investigation into claims that fans hurled racist slurs at Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese during a game against the Indiana Fever. The league found that there was no evidence to support these allegations.
The controversy began when Reese suggested that fans were being racist towards her during the season opener in Indiana. Following her comments, U.S. Senator Jim Banks from Indiana called for Reese to apologize to Fever fans for accusing them of racism. He stated, “Angel Reese owes Indiana fans an apology.”
There is some uncertainty about whether Reese was the one who initially reported the alleged taunts. However, there is no indication that she tried to hinder the investigation. In fact, Reese has spoken in interviews about the challenges of playing while facing racial slurs.
Just last week, she also shared a TikTok video where she expressed feeling “unsafe” while playing in Indiana.
The WNBA’s investigation lasted nearly two weeks. They reviewed information from fans, team personnel, and arena staff, along with audio and video from the game. Ultimately, the league concluded that the claims could not be substantiated. They emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
The Chicago Sky expressed their appreciation for how quickly the league and the Indiana Fever addressed the issue. They highlighted the importance of taking such matters seriously to combat hate at games.
As of now, neither the Sky nor the WNBA has publicly addressed Reese’s comments about the alleged racist incident, and no media outlets have questioned her on the matter.