Angel Reese Breaks Silence on Major WNBA Controversy

Angel Reese has weighed in on the WNBPA's response to commissioner Cathy Engelbert's comments regarding her rivalry with Caitlin Clark.

Engelbert came under fire after her appearance on CNBC’s “Power Lunch” on Monday, where she dodged a question about the toxic rivalry between the fan bases of Clark and Reese.

"There’s no more apathy. Everybody cares. It is a little of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall from 1979, when those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one Black. And so we have that moment with these two," Engelbert said .

“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.”

Engelbert's statement generated a poignant response from the WNBPA on Tuesday.

"This is not about rivalries or iconic personalities fueling a business model," WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson said as part of the statement. “This kind of toxic fandom should never be tolerated or left unchecked. It demands immediate action, and frankly, should have been addressed long ago."

Reese loved what was said, speaking out on X.

"I LOVE ME SOME MS. TERRI CARMICHAEL JACKSON," Reese wrote. "Momma (Nneka Ogwumike) you’re on the clock sista!"

Ogwumike, who Reese tagged in the post, is the WNBPA president.

Engelbert has attempted to clarify her statement, although the tone of the comments suggests that it might have been too little, too late.

"To be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate or racism of any kind in the WNBA or anywhere else," Engelbert posted late Tuesday .

Reese's rookie season ended prematurely due to a wrist injury. However, the former LSU made her mark with the Chicago Sky. Reese finished her rookie campaign averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.

Related: Angel Reese Issued Warning Over Criticism of Caitlin Clark, Fever