While the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has certainly brought more eyeballs to the league than ever before, it has also brought out the worst in some fans.

Racism and homophobia have been used when fans defend their favorite players in this two-sided rivalry, which has led to escalating tensions the likes basketball hasn’t seen since the days of the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry in the NBA.

Appearing on CNBC, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was asked about how the league ‘tries to stay ahead’ of racism and homophobia in this rivalry.

She replied, ‘Well the one thing that’s great about the league right now, we do sit at this intersection of culture, and sports, and fashion and music. Like, the WNBA players are really looked at now as kind of cultural icons.

‘And when you have that, you have a lot of attention on you. There’s no more apathy. Everybody cares. It is a little bit of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall from 1979.

Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner, discusses how player rivalries can be an asset to the league.

Watch more of the interview: https://t.co/oFblsSMqYj pic.twitter.com/qXZFmVeKiH

— CNBC (@CNBC) September 9, 2024

‘When those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one black. And so we have that moment with these two.

‘But the one thing I know about sports, you need rivalry. That’s what makes people watch, they want to watch games of consequence between rivals. They don’t want everybody being nice to one another.’

Players, writers, and fans of the league criticized Engelbert’s response on social media, accusing her of dodging the question and not doing enough to protect players.

Las Vegas Aces star Alysha Clark tweeted, ‘Sweet. Baby. Jesus.’ along with a GIF of actor John C. Reilly looking confused from the show ‘Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show, Great Job!’

Another Aces player, Sydney Colson, tweeted out a clip from the Adam Sandler movie Billy Madison wherein actor Jim Downey says, in part, ‘What you just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard.’

Sports writer Lyndsey D’Arcangelo wrote, ‘in my opinion, this was an open opportunity for her to address some things head on and damn, she missed it by a mile.’

Basketball writer and podcaster Owen Pence wrote, ‘Imagine being asked about racism directed at one of your players and your response is that rivalry is good for the league. Good lord.’

Others on social media were more pointed with their criticism – outwardly accusing Engelbert of endangering the safety of players.

for context, here’s the full question Cathy Engelbert was asked yesterday along with her full answer (via Sports Illustrated)

in my opinion, this was an open opportunity for her to address some things head on and damn, she missed it by a mile pic.twitter.com/71vKfzL5cm

— Lyndsey D’Arcangelo 🏀 (@darcangel21) September 10, 2024

‘Like many of us have been saying, the @WNBA is complicit in pushing the rhetoric this season without regard for the players, their safety, or their mental health. The players are people, not just a product. Shame on Cathy Engelbert and everyone involved,’ wrote one fan.

Another fan said, ‘Cathy Engelbert didn’t even try to discourage the homophobic and racist behavior that occurs on WNBA posts and events. Not even on the official pages or at games. Get her out of here.’

‘cathy engelbert is horrible for the league in every way. lacks a backbone in moments like this when she should stand up for decency for players in favor of “exposure” then in all the moments when she should be focusing money and exposure for the league she’s nowhere to be found,’ another fan wrote.

Yet another said, ‘Serious question: How is Cathy Engelbert able to keep her job? What has she done to elevate the WNBA? They asked her about racism and sexism. She responded with verbal garbage that highlighted rivalry and endorsements. She needs to go ASAP and is a part of the problem’

‘To be asked directly about how you can get ahead of your players being subjected to racism/homophobia for doing THEIR JOBS and to answer it by dodging & talking instead about how profitable it is… is truly something. Disgusting response from Cathy Engelbert but never surprising,’ another fan said.