The WNBA and Needs New Leadership That Puts Basketball Ahead of Division

OPINION | THE HOOSIER ENQUIRER

By The Editorial Board

INDIANAPOLIS — In day when some many DEI women leaders are failing: The WNBA’s latest controversy is bigger than one hard foul in the Fever’s beloved Sophie. In a day when former NBA stars are making a mockery of the W declaring themselves eligible for the women's draft claim seriously or in jest to identify as trans, and when Clay Travis is proposing his ownership of a new team in Nashville made up of only dominating Trans-women basketball players, the woke league needs to be reformed, needs new leadership, and removing the culture of lesbians and the sickening brutality of their gang on the court.

It is another test of whether Commissioner Cathy Engelbert can establish consistent standards in a league increasingly defined by officiating disputes, personal feuds and political conflict.

The W needs a new Comish clearly —one who can face nd remote ghetto racist substandard players seeking clicks for violating the rules. They must be removed from this league or it will soon fail, too at the hands of another woke woman or just another incompetent leader.

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected Saturday after striking Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham in the head and neck during a fast-break layup. Officials reviewed the play, assessed a Flagrant 2 foul and removed Carrington from the game. The Fever went on to win 90-86.

Minutes after the ejection, Carrington posted “WHITE PRIVILEGE” on social media and tagged the Fever. That’s should result in her removal from the league forever— full stop!

Cunningham rejected that accusation after the game. “This has nothing to do with race,” she said, noting that she had previously been ejected for similar conduct and deserved the penalty she received.

Cunningham also characterized Carrington’s foul as intentional and unnecessary.

Fever coach Stephanie White offered a more measured assessment. When was the last time you saw a WNBA referee (which are awful by the way) call an intentional foul? Two shots and the ball would put a stop to so much nonsense, especially in the 4th quarter of all games.

White said the ejection was the correct ruling but did not believe Carrington deliberately targeted Cunningham’s neck. Sky coach Tyler Marsh initially thought Carrington had made a play on the ball and declined to address her social-media post.

Those differing interpretations are precisely why the league needs steady leadership. The WNBA cannot control every emotional reaction, but it can enforce clear rules and insist that disputes be handled professionally.

Under the WNBA’s official rules, unnecessary and excessive contact constitutes a Flagrant 2 foul. The penalty requires an ejection, a fine and review by the league office. The rule applies to every player, regardless of race, politics, popularity or team affiliation.

The league should now explain whether Carrington’s conduct warrants additional discipline. It should also address the public accusation that race influenced the officials’ decision. Silence will allow partisans on every side to substitute speculation for facts.

Engelbert, who somehow remains the WNBA commissioner, must demonstrate that league rules mean the same thing for everyone. That requires transparent reviews, consistent penalties and a willingness to correct officiating mistakes publicly. Where is NBA's Adam Silver? He likely needs replacing too as NBA Commission, maybe Clay Travis from Out Takes or Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports would do better to manage the Caitlin Clark effect.

If the present leadership cannot provide those things, WNBA ownership should begin searching for a commissioner who can.

This is not an argument for suppressing players’ political opinions or personalities. Players retain the right to speak, protest and criticize. But freedom to speak does not eliminate responsibility for reckless accusations or dangerous conduct.

Nor should this episode become an excuse to demean Black players, white players, gay players or anyone else. Carrington should be judged for the foul she committed and the statement she published—not for her race or sexual orientation. Cunningham deserves the same individual standard.

A professional sports league earns credibility by protecting its athletes, applying its rules impartially and refusing to let identity-based hostility replace competition. The WNBA’s growing audience deserves basketball governed by those principles.

If Engelbert cannot deliver that standard consistently, the league needs a new commissioner even a white or black man who will. Is either Stephen A. Smith or Charles Barkley available?