Commentators and media outlets have repeatedly demanded that WNBA star Caitlin Clark address and condemn the hateful online messages directed at her and other players. However, a similar standard is not being applied when fans supporting Angel Reese target her teammates, Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard, according to reporting from OutKick.
This disparity in media attention raises questions about consistency in holding athletes accountable for the actions of their fan bases. Clark has, on multiple occasions, denounced racist, misogynistic, and homophobic messages, even when not directly involved.
Several media figures, including USA Today columnist Nancy Armour and ESPN analyst Monica McNutt, have called on Clark to more forcefully address the behavior of those claiming to be her fans. Clark herself has stated that such harassment is unacceptable and that she does not want anyone to experience it.
In contrast, when Atlanta Dream players Canada and Howard faced online attacks attributed to Angel Reese supporters, the same level of media scrutiny has been absent. These attacks included accusations of selfishness and were sometimes explicitly racist, with some posts using racial slurs. Canada expressed her dismay at the "heartless, rude, [and] insensitive" comments she encountered upon returning to social media.
Reese, meanwhile, announced she would be focusing on herself during the offseason, pausing her podcast and planning occasional vlogs. The author of the OutKick report suggests that if Clark had made a similar announcement while her teammates were facing online abuse, the media reaction would have been significantly different, likely involving extensive commentary on leadership and accountability.
The WNBA itself has focused on combating online hate, with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioning an anti-hate task force that reportedly spent significant time addressing online vitriol directed at players. Despite this, the author notes that a question posed to Engelbert at a press conference regarding the league's focus on online commentary went unanswered.
The report concludes by questioning the silence from prominent media figures who have consistently called for Clark's statements on online hate, while not applying the same pressure to Reese when her supporters are allegedly involved in similar behavior. The author posits that while neither player is responsible for the actions of others, the media's inconsistent application of standards warrants examination.