Ten-time All-Star Brittney Griner says the WNBA’s “new fans” crossed the line this year.
The Phoenix Mercury star opened up about the “racial slurs” she and other players heard from “new fans” throughout the 2024 season.
“I don’t appreciate the new fans that sit there and yell racial slurs at myself, my teammates and the people that I play against because, yeah, those might be opponents but those are friends too,” Griner said Thursday night.
“They don’t deserve that. So, I don’t appreciate the new fans who think it’s OK to do that.
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“But I do appreciate the new fans that respect the game, that are here to grow our league, bringing people that maybe never watched the W to a WNBA game so that we can grow our fans.”
A number of players have spoken out on hateful comments and vitriol, and the WNBA put out a statement earlier this week to acknowledge the issue.
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“The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league,” the statement said.
Griner was in her second season back in the league after missing the 2022 campaign while being imprisoned in Russia.
Last year, Griner was involved in an incident with a social media sensation who asked her why she “hates” and “still want[s] to boycott” America.
The WNBA playoffs began earlier this week.
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