WNBA condemns negative messages players receive online after DiJonai Carrington receives threatening emails

UNCASVILLE, Connecticut — On what should have been a night of celebration for the Connecticut Sun, who advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the sixth consecutive year by defeating the Indiana Fever in the first round, a few ugly moments crept in instead.

The WNBA condemned the negative messages players are receiving online in a statement Wednesday night after Suns player DiJonai Carrington shared a threatening email she received. The email, posted to Carrington's Instagram story, included a racial slur and threats of sexual harassment.

“While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA does not tolerate racist, derogatory or threatening comments about players, teams and anyone associated with the league,” the statement said. “League security actively monitors threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and stadiums to take appropriate action, including involving law enforcement when necessary.”

Carrington did not comment on the incident after the 87-81 victory. Alyssa Thomas, Carrington's teammate, blamed Indiana Fever fans for the increased vitriol the players have faced this year. The league has seen an increase in fans with the arrival of Fever rookie Caitlin Clark and Sky rookie Angel Reese, but WNBA players have also spoken throughout the year about how the increased attention has also led to toxicity.

“It was a lot of nonsense. I don't think I've ever experienced such racist comments from Indiana Fever fans in my 11-year career,” Thomas said. “I've never been abused like I have on social media, and there's no room for that. Basketball is going in a great direction. But we don't want fans demeaning us and calling us racist names.”

Indiana coach Christie Sides also spoke after the game about the “hurtful, hateful language” her team has endured all year. Fever forward Aliyah Boston said earlier this season she deleted her social media accounts to avoid negative comments.

Thomas called on the WNBA to do something to “police” fans who engage in such discourse. Suns coach Steph White said she believes online trolls have shaped the league's narrative and she hopes the media covering the league can bring the focus back to the game itself.

This summer, Clark condemned fans who used her name to spread hate. “Everyone in our world deserves equal respect,” Clark said in June. “The women in our league deserve equal respect, so people shouldn't use my name to push those agendas.”

Despite Clark's denunciation, fans have turned on their opponents. After Diamond DeShields committed a rough foul on Clark at the end of a sweep, a post appeared on social media saying, “That tumor should have taken her out” – about a tumor that had to be removed from DeShields' spinal cord in 2020.

Carrington, who has been a consistent opponent for Clark since facing the rookie on opening night, posted on X on Aug. 28: “The Indiana Fever have the meanest fans in the W. ew.” Earlier this month, Reese also blamed Clark's fans for sending her hate messages.

Two weeks ago, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert was asked about the ominous turn online conversations about the league have taken in an interview on CNBC's “Power Lunch.” She initially focused on the boon the rivalries have brought to the WNBA's business rather than condemning negative fan behavior.

After Engelbert was criticized by the WNBA players, she apologized for her missed goal.

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(Photo: Alika Jenner/Getty Images)