In a recent episode of their “A Touch More” podcast, WNBA icon Sue Bird and retired soccer star Megan Rapinoe addressed a critical issue in the WNBA: racism. Their discussion included insights from Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, who has significantly boosted the league’s popularity and brought a large fanbase with her.
Clark recently led her team to the WNBA playoffs, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Connecticut Sun. Following Game 2 of that series, Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas spoke to the media about her experiences with racism, revealing that she received racial comments from some Fever fans. She expressed disbelief at the comments, stating, “It’s a lot of nonsense,” and emphasized that in her 11-year career, she had never encountered such behavior before. Thomas condemned the racism as unacceptable, highlighting the need for professionalism in sports and the importance of addressing such issues within the league.
This conversation underscores ongoing challenges regarding racism in sports and the necessity for continued dialogue and action to foster a more inclusive environment in the WNBA.