Former WNBA star Renee Montgomery shared a stern PSA to “vicious” Caitlin Clark stans after Angel Reese recently accused some of the Fever star’s fans of being racist.
Montgomery — who won two championships with the Lynx in her 11-year WNBA career and went onto become a co-owner of the Dream in 2021 — addressed the situation involving the fan bases of the All-Star rookies, whose college rivalry has spilled over to the league.
“Today, I want to talk about Caitlin Clark and her fan base,” she said on her “Montgomery & Co.” podcast Tuesday. “Besides the bots, I don’t even think some of her faux fans even watch her game. The Caitlin Clark stans have taken on a life of their own … This whole PSA right now, it doesn’t apply to regular Caitlin basketball fans.
“… I’m speaking on a particular group that is motivated by hate and destruction and if that’s not you, then this is not about you … It doesn’t even seem like it’s about Caitlin with the stans… they’re just on social media ready to fight.
“… That is not a representation of us [a longtime WNBA fan]. For instance … a diehard Falcons fan can hate the Saints but they would be going a little bit too far if they created nude AI pictures of Saints players and then sent them to Saints players’ families. That’s what Caitlin stans have done to Angel Reese.”
Renee Montgomery addresses Caitlin Clark fans and negative comments about Angel Reese on her “Montgomery & Co.” podcast on Sept. 17, 2024.X/Renee Montgomery
Montgomery, who helped lead UConn to the 2009 NCAA National Championship, addressed that matter after Reese said she was the victim of fake AI nude photos, death threats and racism on social media.
“It’s OK to be a hater in sports, hating in sports is a part of the game,” said Montgomery, who finished her WNBA career with the Dream after sitting out the 2020 season to focus on social reform and justice.
“I like when our fans are so engaged and so passionate that they just don’t like the other team. But being racist, sexist and violent with your words — come on now, what are we doing? … That’s not acceptable.”
Reese opened up on the issue during a recent episode of her podcast.
Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky handles the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on September 6, 2024 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.NBAE via Getty Images
“It’s really just the fans, her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans … they ride for her,” Reese said during a recent installment of her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast. “And I respect that.
“Respectfully, but sometimes it’s very disrespectful. I think there is a lot of racism when it comes to it. And I don’t believe [Clark] stands on any of that.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) rushes up the court Friday, July 12, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Reese went on to say she has received death threats.
“People have come down to my address, followed me home — it’s come down to that. [On] multiple occasions, people have made AI pictures of me, like naked, literally. They have sent it to my family members. My family members, my uncles are sending it to me like, ‘Oh, are you naked on Instagram?’ Reese said.
“It sucks to see that and it’s really hard that I have to go through that and now seeing other players having to go through that. But at the end of the day, it’s a game that we do both love but here is no hate [between us].”
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, left, watches Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark take a free throw during the second half of a WNBA basketball game Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Chicago.AP
Clark and Reese’s college rivalry and popularity have helped boost the WNBA’s ratings, revenue and viewership, but some fans have gotten carried away.
Reese, who the Sky selected out of LSU with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, was named the 2023 NCAA women’s tournament Most Outstanding Player after the Tigers beat Clark and Iowa, 102-85, to win the national championship.
The Hawkeyes beat the Tigers in the Elite Eight of this year’s March Madness tournament, but lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks in the title game.
Team WNBA forward Angel Reese (5) passes the ball to Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half against the USA Women’s National Team during the WNBA All-Star game at Footprint Center on July 20, 2024.Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert faced backlash from players after she sidestepped a question about how she handles the “darker” side of social media and its impact on the league’s players, specifically when it comes to Clark and Reese’s fan bases.
Instead, during a recent appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch,” Engelbert focused on the benefits of Clark-Reese rivalry, which she compared to NBA legends Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, whose playing days took place before social media existed.
News
Twist Revealed: ESPN’s 2024 WNBA Awards Picks Heat Up Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Rivalry
The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark has been destined to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award with only the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese standing in her way, but…
Caitlin Clark’s Fanbase Targeted for Alleged “Toxic, Racist, Sexist, and Violent” Behavior Towards Rival WNBA Star – Here’s the Proof
The rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has been a hot topic since their college days, sparking intense debates and heated exchanges on the court. But recently, some…
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Takes Over Coaching in Fever Timeout—Is She the Team’s Secret Brain Behind the Wins?
The 28thWNBA season wraps up tomorrow, marking an end to a historic year. Since the WNBA Draft on April 15th, which was the most-watched draft in league history with 2.4 million viewers, it was clear…
Brittney Griner Explodes On Social Media After Being Attacked By Ruthless Fans Online Who Told Her To “Go Back To Russia” Following Her Fight With LA Sparks Rookie Rickea Jackson
Brittney Griner (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was involved in a physical altercation with Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson on Tuesday night. Rickea Jackson…
VIDEO: Brittney Griner Gets Ejected Following Ugly Fight With Standout WNBA Rookie Rickea Jackson
Brittney Griner fighting with Rickea Jackson (Photo via ESPN/YouTube) Last night, Brittney Griner would have herself an early shower following an altercation with a standout rookie in the league….
Sheryl Swoopes Stirs Controversy Before Playoffs: ‘Caitlin Clark’s Numbers Don’t Scream Dominance
Sheryl Swoopes is back in the news once again with her latest criticism of the Indiana Fever‘s Caitlin Clark as she declares the 22-year-old rookie’s stats are not dominant as…
End of content
No more pages to load