Angel Reese on 'hateful fan comments' triggering WNBA investigation: 'There's no place in this league for that'

Chicago Sky star Angel Reese addressed the WNBA investigation into "alleged hateful fan comments" directed toward her during Saturday's 2025 season opener versus the Indiana Fever and rival Caitlin Clark.

"Obviously, there's no place in this league for that," Reese said to reporters asking about the investigation following practice on Tuesday. "I think the WNBA and our team and our organization have done a great job supporting me. I've had communication from everyone, from so many people across this league.

"Going through this process, obviously if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone," she continued. "I think they've done a great job supporting us in this."

"Obviously in the moment, it's hard to hear," Reese said when asked how the remarks affected her while playing in Saturday's game. She added that her fans, her faith and the Sky organization have formed an important support system for her.

Reese was then asked about the WNBA's quick response to the alleged fan remarks, issuing a statement condemning "racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms" on Sunday afternoon. The Sky replied with its own statement "welcoming" the investigation.

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"They understand that this is the priority," she replied, citing the league's "No Space for Hate" platform launched as the season began.

"The women in this league, they know that," Reese added. "I believe every player in this league deserves to be treated with respect and want to come to work and just have fun, and have a great environment to work at."

Following that third question about the WNBA's investigation, a media representative for the Sky prompted reporters to move on to a different subject, saying "next question."

Fans at Fever games were criticized for malicious remarks last season, notably online messages with racial slurs and threats of assault directed toward DiJonai Carrington after she accidentally poked Clark in the eye during a game last season. Carrington's then-teammate Alyssa Thomas said the racist comments were worse than any she experienced in her 11 WNBA seasons.

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Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White both condemned hateful remarks being directed at players on Monday after the league's investigation was revealed.

“There’s no place for that in our game, there's no place for that in society," Clark said. "Certainly we want every person who comes into our arena, whether player, whether fan, to have a great experience."

"Whether it’s at home, whether it’s on the road, it doesn’t matter,” White added. "We want to encourage our players, our staff, to bring recognition to it in real time if it’s heard, if it’s seen or anything from that nature, but there’s just no place for it in our league."

The Sky next host the New York Liberty for their home opener on Thursday, while the Fever play the Dream at home on Thursday before visiting Atlanta on Thursday.