WNBA Faces Backlash Over Brittney Griner DecisionBrittney Griner (Photo By Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
The WNBA is catching heat, and it’s not just about game scores or stats. A video clip of Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner allegedly making a controversial comment during a May 22 game against the Indiana Fever has gone viral, sparking outrage across social media.

The moment, which shows Griner on the bench seemingly mouthing the phrase “trash f—— white girl,” has drawn intense scrutiny.

Griner, who joined the Dream this offseason after spending her entire WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury, didn’t direct the comment at anyone on the court, at least not visibly. But the timing, just after she fouled out in a close contest with the Fever, left many fans connecting the dots, especially given the presence of rookie sensation Caitlin Clark on the opposing team.

Since the clip started making rounds online, the league has remained silent. And that silence is now fueling the fire.

Fan Reactions And Accusations Of A Double Standard

WNBA Fans Demand Immediate Investigation of Brittney Griner for Racist ActBrittney Griner and Caitlin Clark (Photo Via Imagn Images)
The WNBA has yet to release a statement or take disciplinary action, and fans are not letting it slide. Several are calling the league’s response or lack thereof a glaring double standard. Some point to the league’s own “No Space for Hate” campaign launched earlier this season, which emphasized zero tolerance for discriminatory behavior.

 

“If Caitlin Clark did that, headlines would be on fire,” one fan wrote on X.

Others took a more direct jab at the league’s credibility. “The WNBA is not a serious sports league,” one user commented.

While another added, “There is nothing about the WNBA that you can take seriously.”

A few defended Griner, arguing the comment wasn’t directed at anyone specifically and didn’t warrant league intervention. “She didn’t appear to say it to anyone directly therefore not sure this needs to be elevated to the level of a racist act. However, her race card is now void!” one reply read.

Still, the broader concern lingers: how the league handles sensitive issues when they don’t fit a particular narrative. The longer the WNBA stays quiet, the louder its critics get. For now, fans continue to wait for a response that may not come.