On Friday, the WNBA and Chicago Sky released statements that there is “no space for hate” in women’s basketball. Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports apparently does not agree with the WNBA on that stance.
Portnoy is an avid Caitlin Clark fan. He was courtside at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Indiana Fever’s 93-58 demolition of the Sky on Saturday, and let the world know the Sky went into the locker room for the national anthem.
A viral moment broke out between Sky power forward Angel Reese and Clark after the Fever point guard committed a flagrant foul on Reese with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter.
Following the game, the WNBA announced they were investigating a hateful incident from a fan at the game directed towards Reese.
Dave Portnoy went on a “hate” rant about Chicago Sky star
With the context that the WNBA is investigating a “racial” and “hateful’ incident from Saturday, Portnoy took to social media on Tuesday to argue why Clark fans should “hate” Reese.
“Caitlin fans have every reason to hate Angel Reese,” Portnoy said via a transcription from Ryan Morik of Fox News. “Fever fans, Caitlin fans should hate Angel Reese. Angel Reese has been nothing but an instigator, agitator and (expletive) basically for the last couple years.
“Angel Reese has doubled down, tripled down, quadrupled down and has built her persona as Caitlin’s rival. … It’s one thing after another, after another. … The jealousy that Angel Reese has towards her and has consistently shown makes Caitlin fans hate her. … When you have one player that’s constantly poking at you, constantly degrading you, yes, you’re going to (expletive) hate her.”
Reese recorded a double-double on Saturday, scoring 12 points and 17 rebounds. Clark earned a triple-double, scoring 20 points, adding 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Portnoy claimed ESPN is being purposefully decisive
Portnoy thinks ESPN has been decisive on the rivalry between Clark and Reese. He called Clark a “superior” basketball athlete.
“I’m sick of ESPN making it a race issue,” Portnoy said. “You have a superior basketball player who constantly has someone below taking shots at them, won’t shut up and then plays the victim. … If [Angel] didn’t have Caitlin, nobody would know who she is. If Caitlin didn’t have Angel, it would be the same popularity for Caitlin.”
One has to disagree with Portnoy’s comments on popularity. The Sky and Fever had record ratings on Saturday in part because of Reese. She adds an exciting element to what has now become a household rivalry in the WNBA.
We all should enjoy this moment between two hardworking athletes, and not hate either player.
/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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ESPN sends strong rebuke to Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
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