UNCASVILLE, CT — The Connecticut Sun secured their spot in the sixth consecutive WNBA semifinals after defeating the Indiana Fever in a first-round sweep. However, amidst what should have been a joyous occasion, an incident of online harassment brought attention to the darker side of fandom in the league.

The WNBA released a statement condemning the racist and threatening messages directed at players online, specifically addressing a threatening email containing a racial slur and a threat of sexual assault that was shared by Sun guard DiJonai Carrington. The league emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards derogatory remarks and threats made against players and teams.

Following the game, Alyssa Thomas, a teammate of Carrington, called out Indiana Fever fans for the increase in vitriol directed at players this season. The emergence of new talents like Caitlin Clark from the Fever and Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky has brought heightened attention to the league, but it has also exposed players to unwarranted toxicity and racial abuse.

Players like Thomas and Aliyah Boston of the Fever have spoken out about the hurtful language directed at them throughout the season, with some even resorting to deleting their social media accounts to avoid the negativity. There is a growing call within the league for stronger measures to address toxic fan behavior and protect the players from online harassment.

Sun coach Steph White expressed concerns about how online trolls have influenced the league’s narrative and called for a shift in focus towards the game itself. Despite efforts by players like Clark to denounce hate, instances of fans targeting players with hateful messages continue, highlighting the challenges faced by athletes in the digital age.

As the league grapples with the repercussions of online harassment, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert faced criticism for initially downplaying the severity of the issue. In response to player backlash, Engelbert acknowledged the need for a more proactive approach in addressing negative fan behavior, signaling a potential shift in how the league addresses online harassment moving forward.