Caitlin Clark walked away after fouling Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky Forward tried to get back at CC, but was stopped, and what followed next was not what many expected. No, we are not talking about the fragrant foul called on Caitlin or the technical foul called on AR, but it was the shouting from spectators. Now, the WNBA is looking to investigate the incident that presumably happened during Angel Reese’s free throw.

The word ‘presumably’ is used specifically here as the said investigation is based on social media and online claims. We will get confirmation after the investigation. And here lies the blunder that analyst Rosalina Lee pointed out.

“I’m really, really, really hoping that the WNBA did not just announce an official investigation based on internet hearsay and outrage,” She said on her YouTube video, “Now, if I were the WNBA, I would look into these allegations before posting a public notice that there are allegations.” WNBA actually has too ample time – nearly one day to announce the investigation, but one thing to notice is that there are no concrete words used in the statement, also.

As the statement from WNBA reads, “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms — they have no place in our league or in society. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.” The league itself is mentioning the base of investigation to be ‘allegations’, raising questions over the authenticity of the claims. The accusations were made about a few fans who used racial slurs to distract Angel Reese from making a free throw.

Rosalina mentioned that, considering the seriousness of the allegations, the WNBA should have looked into the allegations first before posting the statement. She claims that, now, there will be two outcomes, and in any case, acknowledging the allegations tarnishes the incident.

This isn’t the first time Engelbert’s been in hot water over fan issues. Last September, she caught flak for comparing the Clark-Reese rivalry to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird without calling out racist fan behavior, which players like Breanna Stewart slammed her for. That history makes this move feel like another misstep, putting the league in a tough spot with players and fans alike.

“I would handle this with seriousness absolutely but I would handle it without making a public statement about it”, Rosalina said, “And then looking into it, deliver some kind of public statement. Because now no matter what, let’s just say nothing is found, let’s, just say the accusations cannot be substantiated and are false. What do you think is going to be the outcome if the WNBA comes out and says these allegations have been proven false? Like there is so much outrage about it that there is no right answer.”

She’s got a point, social media’s already a mess over this. X posts show fans split, with some saying Fever fans are being unfairly dragged, while others argue the allegations fit a pattern. This kind of divide means the WNBA’s walking a tightrope, and a wrong move could turn fans away or make arenas feel less safe.

She also mentioned that if the allegations are found true, then there will be serious consequences, even banning fans Gainbridge Arena. And it would extend to other arenas also. While WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert or any other league authority haven’t mentioned an exact date for the result of the investigation, all eyes will be on the same.

The stakes are sky-high because Clark and Reese are the faces of the WNBA’s boom—think 335% more League Pass subscribers in 2024 and a $200 million TV deal. But that spotlight also brings out the worst in some fans, like the online harassment that pushed Fever star Aliyah Boston off social media last year. A sloppy investigation could hurt the league’s vibe and make it harder to keep fans coming back.

Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese? They haven’t spoken about the allegations. But the statements are released by the player association and the Fever franchise.

WNBPA and Indiana Fever franchise respond to allegations

Truly, this is the first big test for WNBA, considering the allegations, players involved and also the emotions of the fanbases. The Clark-Reese rivalry isn’t just a game—it’s been electric since their 2023 NCAA title clash, pulling in huge crowds but also sparking ugly stuff like racist comments online. That history makes this moment extra tricky for the league to navigate. Though Caitlin Clark walked away after the foul, Reese’s actions were ‘booed’ by the home crowd. That is acceptable as CC is their star and most loved player. They even showed discontent when Caitlin Clark’s foul was upgraded.

While the WNBA made its stand clear and looked to investigate the whole scenario, the Indiana Fever showed their support to the league and vowed to provide support. “We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterday’s game, and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation,” the Fever franchise said in a statement. “We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.” The Chicago Sky also showed faith in the WNBA’s investigation and calls for protection for their players.

The WNBA players’ association also got involved in the case as they made their views public. They also released a statement on the matter, showing trust in the league to take appropriate actions. “The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation into this matter. Such behaviour is unacceptable in our sport,” the statement said. “Under the WNBA’s ‘No Space for Hate’ policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.”

While the system will be working on its own, the teams will be preparing for their next regular-season games. Importantly, the Sky and Fever will face each other more than once this season.