I recently watched a video detailing the NFL’s perpetration of race wars in America in order to draw more attention to football as a whole. The creator notes how fans and commentators compliment quarterbacks (a position where 80% of NFL quarterbacks are white) for their IQ and decision making. Historically, Black Americans have faced numerous obstacles in this position and other “thinking positions.” Compared to their White counterparts, team managers felt their intellect was inferior and thus unable to keep up. On the other hand, the more physically taxing positions, such as running backs who absorb pummeling defensemen for the quarterbacks and cornerbacks who are seen as the last line of defense, are largely filled by Black men, who are often viewed as more aggressive and forceful within society as a whole. As a result, the “smarter” white players are pitted against the “combative” Black players, allowing Americans to subconsciously relate their experiences to the experiences of players on the field.
Women’s sports may not have the same racial dynamic within positions, but the forced opposition of Black and white players is equally harmful to the industry if not more so. The most obvious example of the enduring damage to women’s sports being the newfound “fans” of women’s basketball after Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s 2023 NCAA Championship debacle. While Reese and the LSU team was “ghetto,” Clark’s majority white team was playing clean basketball. The game sparked outrage online as basketball fans and nonbasketball fans flooded the Internet with their takes. However, that entire situation was just another reflection of the ongoing racism in the US and exemplifies just how much it still infiltrates our everyday lives. As the two athletes transitioned into professional basketball in the WNBA after college, the hate continued.
Unlike male sports leagues, the WNBA has been at the forefront of progressive issues, championing queer and Black equality as a result of their demographics. The racism brought on by new fans has put both the reputation of the league and the safety of the players in danger. After hitting Clark in the face on accident, Connecticut Sun player Dijonai Carrington posted a photo of a message she received from a “fan,” which read “I hope someone rapes you and cuts your head off.” So while it’s important to appreciate the growth of the game, it’s equally crucial to acknowledge the development of the newfound blatant racism and its effects. Not only does it take away from the actual act of watching, but it also diminishes all work the athletes put in outside of games and fosters an exclusive environment for fans where only White fans are allowed to partake in their riot against other teams. And the league’s tiptoeing around the topic is certainly not helping either. In lieu of an answer regarding the hateful threats against the players, Commission Cathy Englebert only cemented her support of the “friendly rivalry,” instead of condemning the alarming consequences caused by out-of-control fans.
Ultimately, Englebert and the league must do something to hold raucous fans accountable and establish a boundary. However, it is also imperative that fans continue to speak out against hate speech and protect the league’s identity as an inclusive space for all to enjoy the effort that these athletes have put in for the enjoyment of their fans.