The WNBA season opener between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky was supposed to be a celebration of basketball’s brightest stars. Instead, it became the epicenter of a media firestorm, a social controversy, and a lesson in how narratives can spiral out of control. At the heart of it all was Angel Reese, a rising star for the Sky, and a series of allegations that would quickly unravel into what many now call a race hoax.
The Incident
It began on May 17th, with the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and the Sky’s Angel Reese facing off in a much-anticipated game. The contest was physical, as expected, and tempers flared. At one point, Clark committed a flagrant foul on Reese, slapping her arm and sending her to the floor. Reese, known for her competitive spirit and previous on-court run-ins with Clark, jumped up, visibly angry, and followed Clark across the court. But after the dust settled, both players seemed to agree it was just part of the game. Clark said there was nothing malicious behind the foul, and Reese herself would later call it a “basketball play.”
But the story didn’t end there.
The Allegation
Shortly after the game, the Associated Press reported that the WNBA had launched an investigation into alleged racist abuse directed at Reese by Fever fans. The league issued a statement condemning racism, hate, and discrimination, saying such behavior had no place in the WNBA or society. The implication was clear: something ugly may have happened in the stands that night.
Reese herself added fuel to the fire by posting a TikTok video with a screenshot showing Clark walking away after the foul, captioned “White gal running from the fade.” The video was soon deleted, but not before it made the rounds online. Reese then told reporters that the alleged racism had been “very hard to deal with” and praised her team and the league for supporting her through the ordeal. “It could happen to me, it could happen to anyone,” she said, describing the incident as tough to hear but insisting she had a great support system.
The Investigation
The immediate aftermath was confusion. What exactly had happened? What evidence was there of racism? The Daily Mail reported that Reese’s own coach and team were unaware of any racist incident during the game. No one in the arena had complained, and Reese herself did not report anything in the moment. Instead, the investigation seemed to have been sparked by anonymous social media posts claiming that monkey sounds were made by the crowd when Reese took a free throw.
Audio from the game surfaced online. What some claimed were racist noises sounded, to most listeners, like ordinary noisemakers—those cheap, rattling toys fans use to distract shooters. The evidence was thin, but the narrative had already taken off.
The Media Reaction
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, several prominent sports commentators and analysts were quick to declare that racism had occurred. ESPN’s Monica McNutt, Chiney Ogwumike, and Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho all weighed in, warning about the dangers of racism in sports and the need for vigilance. They spoke passionately about the need for the league to act and for fans to be mindful of their words and actions.
But as Megyn Kelly pointed out on her show, none of these commentators could cite specific evidence of what was said or done. The conversation, she argued, had shifted from facts to feelings, with the media running with a narrative before the investigation had even begun.
The Unraveling
Ten days later, the WNBA concluded its investigation. After reviewing audio, video, and speaking with fans, teams, and arena staff, the league announced it had found no evidence to substantiate the allegations of racism. The story, which had dominated headlines and social media, evaporated overnight.
Some commentators, like Chiney Ogwumike, took to social media to apologize for their initial takes, admitting they had spoken in the heat of the moment based on concerns raised by people close to the situation. She promised to do better in the future, acknowledging the responsibility that comes with having a public platform. But as Kelly noted, these apologies were often vague and offered on social media, not in the same forums where the original allegations were made.
The Double Standard
Kelly was unsparing in her criticism. She argued that there is rarely any penalty for spreading false allegations of racism in sports. The media, she claimed, is quick to amplify such stories but slow to correct them when the facts don’t support the narrative. The damage, she said, is already done by the time the truth comes out.
Meanwhile, Kelly pointed to another incident involving Brittney Griner, who was caught on camera mouthing something after a foul. Some believed she said “effing white girl,” while others thought it was “whack call.” Griner did not comment, and no reporters asked her about it. Kelly suggested that there is a double standard in how racial allegations are handled depending on the identity of the accused and the accuser.
The Aftermath
For WNBA fans, especially people of color, the incident left lingering questions. If the league announces a racism investigation based on anonymous social media posts, without any evidence from those present, what does that say to fans in the stands? Should they be worried about being unfairly accused? Should they expect transparency from the league about how such investigations are conducted?
For Angel Reese, the episode was a reminder of how quickly a player can become the center of a media storm, even when the facts are unclear. For the league, it was a cautionary tale about the dangers of reacting to unverified claims and the importance of due process.
Lessons Learned
In the end, the “race hoax” involving Angel Reese became a case study in the power of narrative, the speed of social media, and the responsibility of journalists and commentators to get the facts right before running with a story. As Megyn Kelly concluded, the WNBA and the sports media must do better—not only for the integrity of the game, but for the trust of the fans and players who make it possible.
