Brittney Griner Says WNBA Fans Yelled Racial Slurs At Her This Season
09/27/2024 01:32 PM
The WNBA has a huge problem on its hands regarding fan behavior. Several stars have called out fans for racist remarks, including Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner.
Earlier this week, the WNBA released a statement this week about the hateful comments some players are receiving whether it's in-person or on social media. Obviously, the league doesn't tolerate that kind of behavior.
"The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world," the league said in a statement. "While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league. League security is actively monitoring threat-related activity and will work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures, to include involving law enforcement as necessary."
Speaking to the media this week, Griner was asked about the new fans watching the WNBA. Her response was quite interesting.
Griner revealed that some of the "new fans" yelled racial slurs at her and her teammates.
"I don't appreciate the new fans that sit there and yell racial slurs at myself, my teammates, and the people that I play against because, yeah, those might be opponents but those are friends too. They don't deserve that," Griner said. "So, I don't appreciate the new fans who think it's okay to do that. But I do appreciate the new fans that respect the game. That are here to grow our league. Bringing people that maybe never watched the W to a WNBA game so that we can grow our fans."
"I don't appreciate the new fans that sit there and yell racial slurs at myself, my teammates, and the people that I play against because, yeah, those my best opponents but those are friends too."
— DANA (@iam_DanaScott) September 27, 2024
Brittney Griner on players facing racism from WNBA's news fleet of fans in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Uhw7rp8umO
We can't imagine how difficult this season has been for the players. The last thing they need is to deal with hurtful comments from fans who don't know what they go through on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, this is an incredibly tough situation to keep in check.
The WNBA can try its hardest to condemn racist comments, but it'll take a lot more than a few statements to make a change.
We'll see if WNBA fans rally together and get rid of the people trying to diminish the product.
Related: Caitlin Clark's Rival Is Getting Death Threats During The WNBA Playoffs
