As the WNBA has been getting more attention, not all of the feedback has been positive.
On Wednesday, six Chicago Sky players were harassed outside of their Washington, D.C. hotel. According to the team’s general manager, Jeff Pagliocca, a man with a camera had his eye focused on Chennedy Carter. When the team arrived on their bus, the man approached Carter and her teammates. However, the team’s security quickly stepped in to defuse the situation before escorting the man away.
“It was over as fast as it started,” Pagliocca said. “I’m very confident in our security always making our players feel safe. Today was a great example of how critical they are to our team.”
Shortly after, some of the players of the team addressed the incident on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying they were thankful for their security.
“finding out our teams hotel to pull with a camera as we get off the bus and put it in my teammates face & HARASS her is NASTY WORK. this really is outta control and needs to STOP,” Angel Reese wrote while Isabelle Harrison added, “WOW!!! Thank GOD for security. My teammate being harassed at our hotel is insane! Couldn’t even step off the bus!!!”
finding out our teams hotel to pull with a camera as we get off the bus and put it in my teammates face & HARASS her is NASTY WORK. this really is outta control and needs to STOP.
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 5, 2024
WOW!!! Thank GOD for security. My teammate being harassed at our hotel is insane! Couldn’t even step off the bus!!!
— Isabelle Harrison (@OMG_itsizzyb) June 5, 2024
Additionally, Michaela Onyenwere commented on the situation and mentioned that fans were crossing boundaries.
“Getting harassed at our hotel is where the line needs to be drawn. Some ‘fans’ have NO CHILLLLL,” Onyenwere said. “We have security, and they did a great job of de-escalating the situation/protecting us. It’s still extremely weird & crosses the boundaries meeting us right when we get off the bus.”
Getting harassed at our hotel is where the line needs to be drawn. Some “fans” have NO CHILLLLL 🤮
— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) June 5, 2024
We have security, and they did a great job of de-escalating the situation/protecting us. It’s still extremely weird & crosses the boundaries meeting us right when we get off the bus. https://t.co/HZZ60ytx3E
— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) June 5, 2024
Interesting how the video posted was edited and doesn’t include when he harassed our staff while calling us “ghetto b******” and saying “women’s sports isn’t s***”.
— Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_) June 6, 2024
We are not about to normalize things like that.
It’s unclear as to why the man was harassing the women, but some believed the incident could’ve stemmed from Carter’s recent run-in with Caitlin Clark. On Saturday, Carter found herself in the midst of controversy after she committed a flagrant foul on Clark during their match against the Indiana Fever. The physicality quickly became the topic of discussion, with some debating Carter’s actions and response to the situation. Additionally, the play also sparked conversations on if Clark is being purposely targeted by other WNBA players over the star power she has brought to the league.
