The King Center in Atlanta issued a statement calling for the WNBA to take action against racist, homophobic attacks. 70% of the WNBA’s players are lesbians.
“Bigoted, homophobic, and racist attacks on social media and otherwise are not ‘outside noise’ or something the Black and LGBTQ players in your league should have to increase their ‘mental toughness’ to endure,” the King Center said.
The statement continued: “You can and should address the issue with intentionality, strategy, and courage.”
Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas #25 claimed she received death threats after she struck Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark in the throat during a June 24 game.
Thomas received a flagrant 2 foul and a one-game suspension.
The King Center’s statement was in response to Fever star Sophie Cunningham saying WNBA players should have “mental toughness” and “expect” hate from fans because they’re “in the entertainment business.”
“If you’re gonna live by the praise, you’re gonna die by the hate,” Cunningham told a reporter.
Dear @WNBA:
Bigoted, homophobic, and racist attacks on social media and otherwise are not “outside noise” or something the Black and LGBTQ players in your league should have to increase their “mental toughness” to endure.
You can and should address the issue with… https://t.co/OJi9Nxgevx
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) July 6, 2026
Last week, a Congressional committee warned the WNBA to protect Caitlin Clark from further targeted attacks – or face a DOJ investigation.
The letter from the Republican Study Committee reads in part:
“Clark has been hip-checked, poked in the eye, and struck in the throat during games. These incidents go far beyond routine physical play, yet the WNBA and its officiating have too often failed to address these unacceptable incidents and hold players accountable.”
Congress gave WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert until July 24 to reply to the letter.