WNBA commissioner meets with players amid league tensions
League and Players Address Concerns
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently met with player committees to discuss various issues, including security, officiating, and online harassment. The virtual meeting, held at the request of the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA), involved the WNBPA executive committee, the league’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, and league security leadership.
The discussions followed a controversial play last month involving Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark. The WNBPA sought the meeting to address how the league could be more proactive in handling crises that significantly affect players.
A joint statement released by the league and the union emphasized the importance of addressing issues early through proactive communication and strengthening the league-union relationship. The league committed to enhancing security resources and collaborating with organizations that align with their values and shared priorities.
Player Safety and Online Harassment
Security measures within the league have been a key topic. The WNBA codified security protocols for the first time in its new CBA, a seven-year agreement reached in March. This standard mandates that every team secure at least one security officer to accompany players during all team-related activities. Most teams currently travel with a minimum of two security guards.
Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark recounted an incident from early in her career where fans followed her to her car after a game, highlighting the previous lack of security. Now, players are accompanied to their vehicles by team security in both home and away markets. WNBPA vice president Breanna Stewart noted a change in security measures when she joined the New York Liberty in 2023, where the team travels with three security guards and players are advised that security will be present to ensure their safety.
Online harassment, including racial slurs and death threats, has also been a significant concern. Several players, including Alyssa Thomas and Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray, have publicly shared their experiences. Protocols for addressing online harassment involve players, coaches, and executives reporting such material to team security, who then coordinate with the league. The league’s Global Security Operations Center assesses these threats and investigates them when appropriate, potentially pursuing bans and referrals to local law enforcement.
Additional steps discussed included pursuing accountability from tech companies that own social media platforms where harassment occurs, and improving communication between team security, the league, and law enforcement. The reporting process was also clarified during the call, which Chicago Sky center and WNBPA secretary Elizabeth Williams found helpful, as some players did not fully understand its scope.
Officiating Concerns and Future Dialogue
Officiating was another point of discussion, with players stressing accountability. Specifically, the play between Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark, where no foul was initially called, was brought up. Thomas later received a fine and a flagrant penalty 2. Elizabeth Williams stated that when clear fouls go uncalled, it can lead to unnecessary backlash for players that could be avoided if calls were made in real time.
Suggested solutions for officiating included a replay center and a Last Two Minute Report, similar to those used in the NBA. However, Williams indicated that neither of these options is planned for the current season. While no similar meetings are currently scheduled, the idea of making these discussions a more regular occurrence was raised. Williams expressed a desire for more collaborative interactions, even when issues are not at a crisis point.
The discussion on Tuesday marked the beginning of an ongoing dialogue between the league and the players’ union, with a commitment to continue building on this work together.
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Source: nytimes.com
