Dave Portnoy Slams WNBA Over ‘Baseless’ Racism Probe After Angel Reese–Caitlin Clark Game

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is firing back at the WNBA and the Indiana Fever, accusing both of giving undue credibility to a “troll” and fueling what he called a “bulls–t” investigation into unfounded racism allegations during the May 17 game between the Fever and Chicago Sky.

Portnoy, a vocal Caitlin Clark supporter who attended the game in question, expressed outrage after the league concluded its investigation Tuesday, finding no evidence to support claims that Fever fans made racist remarks toward Sky players.
“It’s okay to have a spine @IndianaFever,” Portnoy posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside the team’s response to the WNBA’s findings. “The ‘investigation’ was bulls–t. Both you and @WNBA gave credibly [sic] to a very obvious troll. @espn ran with it. @CaitlinClark22 had to defend her fans for no reason. You made something outta nothing. @IndianaFever fans deserve better.”

The controversy erupted after viral speculation online suggested racially charged heckling had occurred during the Fever’s blowout 93–58 win over the Sky. The speculation quickly snowballed, leading to media coverage and online uproar, despite no concrete evidence emerging at the time.

ESPN Personality Issues Public Apology

ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike, who initially reacted strongly on-air to the allegations, addressed the league’s findings during Tuesday’s programming. She apologized for her earlier comments, acknowledging they were made in the “heat of the moment” and said she had since spoken with individuals close to the situation to better understand what actually happened.

Fever, WNBA Release Statements

Both the Indiana Fever and the WNBA released official statements following the review, affirming that no racist behavior had been identified among fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Fever stood by their support of inclusivity and their commitment to a respectful environment for all players and fans.

Still, critics like Portnoy argue the damage was already done. The mere existence of the investigation, he claims, unfairly smeared the Fever fanbase and forced Caitlin Clark—already under a national spotlight—to respond to baseless accusations.

Clark’s Rising Stardom Continues Amid Controversy

Clark, the No. 1 pick and reigning Rookie of the Year, has quickly become the face of the league, drawing sellout crowds and record-breaking TV ratings. However, her popularity has also made her a flashpoint in the ongoing cultural conversations surrounding women’s sports, race, and media narratives.

As tensions remain high between fan bases and within the league itself, the fallout from this incident highlights the precarious balance between accountability and sensationalism in the social media age.