The WNBA season opened this weekend with a big-name matchup in Sky vs. Fever, but the league is now opening an investigation into that game.
On Sunday, the WNBA announced it was looking into fan behavior during the Fever's 93-58 win over the Sky in Indiana. The matchup was heated, as it was the latest chapter in the Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese rivalry, and some Fever fans may have stepped over the line regarding their treatment of Reese.
Clark and Reese have a history dating back to college, when Reese's LSU team beat Clark's Iowa in the national championship. Their rivalry has now carried over to the WNBA, as Indiana fans booed Reese significantly on Saturday.
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However, the WNBA is now investigating whether Fever fans went too far in how they antagonized Reese. Here's the latest on the WNBA's investigation.
Angel Reese WNBA investigation
The WNBA announced that it is investigating allegations regarding potentially hateful comments aimed at Sky forward Angel Reese in Indiana on Saturday.
"The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society," the league said in a statement. "We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter."
During the game, Reese and Caitlin Clark had to be separated after Clark committed a take foul on Reese that sent the Sky forward to the ground. That foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1 after replay, and off-setting technical fouls were also given out.
However, the IndyStar reports the investigation has nothing to do with the incident or anything said between Fever and Sky players. Instead, the league is looking into fan behavior during the heated matchup.
The WNBPA released a statement Sunday supporting the investigation.
The WNBPA has issued its own statement which says the WNBA is investigating reports of “hateful comments” at yesterday’s Sky vs Fever game. pic.twitter.com/0XEJn2u4PM
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) May 18, 2025
The Fever, meanwhile, said they are "working closely" with the WNBA to help complete the investigation.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 18, 2025
The Sky said in a statement Sunday night that they welcome the WNBA's investigation. "We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players," the team said.
Statement from Chicago Sky CEO & President Adam Fox: pic.twitter.com/LI9CXyxJtr
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) May 19, 2025
On Monday, Clark condemned the alleged racist remarks, saying that there is no place for that in the game.
"There's no place for that in our game, there's no place for that in society," she said. "We want every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience."
Caitlin Clark on the alleged hateful comments during Saturday’s game:
— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) May 19, 2025
“There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society. We want every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience.”
More: pic.twitter.com/1f6HKyHroA
While Clark said she didn't hear anything due to how loud it was in the arena, she supports the WNBA's investigation to figure out what happened.
"It’s super loud in here, and though I didn’t hear anything, I think that’s why they’re doing the investigation," said Clark, via USA Today. "That doesn’t mean nothing happened, so I’ll just trust the league’s investigation, and I’m sure they’ll do the right thing."
All the Fever players who spoke on Monday agreed with the league's decision to investigate what happened, including forward Aaliyah Boston.
"We, as athletes, have to make sure that fans know it's OK to be passionate, to cheer us on, to get loud. But at the end of the day, it's about respect," Boston said, via ESPN. "If it was your daughter out on the court, you would want that respect being shown. That has to be the mindset for every fan when they step into an arena."
On Tuesday, Angel Reese briefly addressed the investigation during Sky practice.
"I think the WNBA and my team, my organization has done a great job supporting me," she said. "I've had communication from everyone, from so many people across this league for being able to support me going through this whole process."
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. #Sky pic.twitter.com/qsREFpJCXk
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) May 20, 2025
Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said the team is cooperating with the league, although he didn't hear of the allegations until the WNBA opened the investigation.
"I (became aware) when everyone else did," Marsh said. "It's something that we heard about and we're just forthcoming with anything that the league is able to do investigation-wise."
Tyler Marsh says the Sky were not aware of any hate speech during the game and only found out reports from social media. the WNBA investigation is based on social media reports pic.twitter.com/5fQz5dKjvZ
— correlation (@nosyone4) May 20, 2025
On May 27th, the WNBA announced that it could not prove the allegations, thus closing the investigation.
"Based on the information gathered to date: including relevant fans, team, and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it," the league said in a statement.
Statement from the WNBA regarding Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever game on May 17:
— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) May 27, 2025
"Based on the information gathered to date: including relevant fans, team, and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it." pic.twitter.com/MgK5rz5w3r
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What did Fever fans say to Angel Reese?
According to the IndyStar, the league is looking into potentially racist remarks coming from Fever fans directed at Reese in the Sky's first game against the Fever on Saturday. It is unclear exactly what was said, but the Fever-Sky matchup was heated and included fans heavily booing Reese in Indiana's home opener.