Fever Fans Rally Against Coach White Over Player Support Controversy

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Fever coach Stephanie White spoke out against the online abuse Alyssa Thomas has been enduring.

Newsweek - Alyssa Thomas called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not denouncing the online vitriol.

Awful Announcing - Alyssa Thomas called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for not denouncing the online vitriol directed at the Mercury players.

Sportskeeda - Fever coach Stephanie White spoke out against the online abuse directed at Alyssa Thomas.

Newsweek - Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White and Phoenix Mercury All-Star Alyssa Thomas are involved in the controversy.

WHAT:

Awful Announcing - Alyssa Thomas stated, “We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy; it’s no surprise. As usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”

Fox News - Christine Brennan stated that Caitlin Clark has brought significant benefits to players like Alyssa Thomas, saying, "Caitlin Clark, who has brought the charter flights, I broke that story, you know, that’s a fact."

Chicago Sun-Times - White emphasized, “Our league is about inclusiveness. Our league is about competition. Our league is about elevating, elevating women, elevating marginalized communities, including and being inclusive of, of all different walks of life.”

Awful Announcing - Alyssa Thomas stated, “We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy; it’s no surprise. As usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”

Fox News - Christine Brennan stated that Caitlin Clark has brought significant benefits to players like Alyssa Thomas, saying, "Caitlin Clark, who has brought the charter flights, I broke that story, you know, that’s a fact."

Chicago Sun-Times - Stephanie White called the play involving Alyssa Thomas "egregious" and acknowledged that Thomas has a reputation as one of the most physical players in the league.

Fox News - The Fever and the Mercury will meet again on July 9.

Awful Announcing - Alyssa Thomas was assessed a flagrant-2 foul and suspended for one game for striking Caitlin Clark in the neck area.

Awful Announcing - Alyssa Thomas stated, “A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and now we’re being painted as thugs and there’s death threats out on us, so it’s really unacceptable; it’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”

Awful Announcing - Cathy Engelbert stated, “The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate. The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority.”

Awful Announcing - Stephanie White mentioned, “I think as a league, as a whole, there’s been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight-out nonsense, and it is absolutely unacceptable.”

Awful Announcing - White emphasized, “Our league is about inclusiveness. Our league is about competition. Our league is about elevating, elevating women, elevating marginalized communities, including and being inclusive of, of all different walks of life.”

Sportskeeda - Stephanie White condemned the online abuse that Alyssa Thomas has been facing following an altercation with Caitlin Clark.

Newsweek - White criticized the current WNBA discourse and labeled some fans as "fake" for their toxicity.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The incident involving Alyssa Thomas and Caitlin Clark occurred during a game between the Fever and the Mercury.

WHEN:

Sportskeeda - The Fever lost to the Mercury with a score of 111-109 on June 24.

WHY:

Sportskeeda - The controversy arose from the remarks made by Alyssa Thomas regarding death threats she received after the game.

HOW:

Chicago Sun-Times - White stated, “But it’s not hard to not be a jerk. And if you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.”

Chicago Sun-Times - White emphasized the need for better communication within the league, stating, “I think obviously when there’s a lack of communication, you know, the void is filled with negativity, right?”

Awful Announcing - Stephanie White stated, “No, I mean, I think obviously when there’s a lack of communication, you know, the void is filled with negativity, right?”

Newsweek - Stephanie White joined Alyssa Thomas in condemning the online abuse and the negative discourse surrounding the WNBA.

Fever coach Stephanie White has publicly addressed the online abuse that Alyssa Thomas has been facing, emphasizing the need for inclusiveness and support within the league. Thomas has also called out WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert for her silence on the matter, stating, “We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy; it’s no surprise. As usual, she remains silent, and that’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.” White further criticized those engaging in online harassment, asserting, “But it’s not hard to not be a jerk. And if you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.”