DOJ Probes Cuomo, WNBA Rivalry Ignites Racial Firestorm
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a formal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, sources confirmed Tuesday. While details of the probe remain scarce, officials have stated it concerns potential misconduct during Cuomo’s time in office. The development comes amid escalating drama in the WNBA, where a clash between rising stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark is stirring national debate around race, safety, and sportsmanship.
As the 2025 WNBA season tips off, the league finds itself at the center of controversy—and not for gameplay. The tension between Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has intensified beyond the court, sparking conversations about racism and player safety.
On Saturday, during a heated season opener between the Fever and the Sky, Clark delivered a flagrant foul against Reese, who had just shoved Fever forward Natasha Howard under the rim. The foul led to an emotional outburst on the court, with Reese needing to be held back. But the confrontation didn’t end with the buzzer.
By Monday, the WNBA announced it had launched an investigation into allegations of racist slurs and hateful comments aimed at Reese during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms—they have no place in our league or in society,” the league said in a statement. “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.”
Reese responded by reposting a viral TikTok video that depicted Clark as a “white gyal running away from the fade,” a slang reference to avoiding confrontation. The video also included commentary from a user who claimed Reese is “no longer safe” in Indiana, citing hostile fan behavior as racially motivated.
“You all knew that was going to happen. You all knew that environment is unsafe for Angel,” the user said. Reese amplified the message by resharing it with her 2.4 million followers, further intensifying the public discourse.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Reese voiced her frustration but also praised her team and the league for offering support.
“There’s no place in the league for that,” Reese said. “Going through this whole process—it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone. I think they’ve done a great job supporting us.”
Clark, meanwhile, issued a calm but firm response. “There’s no place for that in our game. There’s no place for that in society,” she said. “We want every person—player or fan—to have a great experience.”
Despite both players downplaying personal animosity, fans and commentators have continued to stoke the flames. Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III declared on X (formerly Twitter) that “Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark.” Griffin later claimed the statement was basketball-based, not personal, but the damage was done.
ESPN’s Ryan Clark took issue with Griffin’s remarks, suggesting that Griffin’s interracial marriage distanced him from understanding the challenges faced by Black women like Reese.
“When RG3 jumps onto the hate train…he makes Angel Reese the villain and Clark the hero,” Ryan Clark said on *The Pivot* podcast. “That’s a problem. Especially when he hasn’t had the lived experience to understand it.”
The backlash didn’t end there. Former NBA player Etan Thomas compared Reese to Elizabeth Eckford of the Little Rock Nine, superimposing Reese’s face onto the iconic civil rights image in a powerful social media post.
“This is how it’s been for Angel Reese ever since the 2023 NCAA Tournament,” Thomas wrote, referencing the LSU vs. Iowa national championship that marked the beginning of the Reese-Clark rivalry.
The incident has overshadowed the Fever’s dominant 93–58 win over the Sky, which became the most-watched WNBA game ever on ESPN. It also highlights broader racial divides in sports culture, especially as young Black athletes like Reese are thrust into the spotlight amid social tension.
With three more Sky-Fever games scheduled for this season, the league faces mounting pressure to ensure player safety and accountability. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association released its own statement supporting the WNBA’s investigation under its “No Space for Hate” policy.
“The behavior described is unacceptable for our sport,” the WNBPA wrote. “We trust the league to take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.”
Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark continues to rise in public favor. NBA legend LeBron James posted a heartfelt message of support ahead of Saturday’s matchup: “Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!! @caitlinclark22.”
Clark later admitted she thought the message was fake. “LeBron is my favorite player of all time,” she said. “To have his support means everything.”
As the WNBA attempts to navigate this explosive moment, the league’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and safety will be tested like never before.
RELATED
