Aliyah Boston Fires Sharp Response to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert's Remarks

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert found herself in the news for the wrong reason after seemingly sidestepping the issues of racism and homophobia hounding the league.

When asked on CNBC's "Power Lunch" about the said topics in the context of the toxicity of fans due to the rivalry between Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark and Chicago Sky's Angel Reese, Engelbert merely said any sport "needs a rivalry" because it "makes people watch."

She also compared it to the rivalry between NBA icons Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, which many believe saved the league from its spiraling popularity in the 1980s.

Engelbert, who assumed office in 2019, had the chance to categorically denounce racism and homophobia and express her support for the players. But she didn't.

Clark's teammate, Aliyah Boston, was stern with her opinion of Engelbert's comments.

"That comment was kind of hard," Boston said in a report from IndyStar's Chloe Peterson . "I think when we think about this league and we think about the world in general, like there's no place for racism, regardless of competition, regardless of money that comes into this."

Boston, a representative of the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA), stressed that the league's direction should be toward a safer and more inclusive space for everyone.

"I think what we do, especially as an association, (is to) make sure that the players don't feel like there's ever an okay feeling for racists to be a part of it," added the reigning Rookie of the Year. "I think this league is so talented with many different people and that we just have to stick together."

Other players, via the WNBPA, have also called out Engelbert for her remarks, stressing that the league should always be about "respect, accountability and setting the standard."

Following the backlash, Engelbert clarified her comments, posting on X that "there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else."

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