Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy has publicly criticized the Indiana Fever for its response to the WNBA’s conclusion that there was no substantiated evidence of racial remarks targeting the Chicago Sky. Portnoy, who attended the Fever’s first game of the season against the Sky, took issue with the league’s handling of the investigation, which he called a ‘bulls—‘ episode.
The WNBA’s investigation, launched after reports of hate speech toward Angel Reese, a player on the Sky, found no evidence to support the allegations. Despite the lack of substantiated claims, the incident sparked significant social media attention and controversy. Portnoy accused the Indiana Fever and the WNBA of giving undue credibility to what he described as a ‘troll,’ and he criticized ESPN and social media for amplifying the issue without concrete evidence.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines released a statement on the conclusion of the league’s investigation, emphasizing the league’s commitment to providing a harassment-free environment for players and fans. Raines expressed appreciation for the WNBA’s swift and thorough process, noting that the allegations were not substantiated. However, Portnoy’s critique highlights growing frustration over the handling of sensitive issues in sports and the potential for social media to influence public perception, even when no clear wrongdoing is evident.
Portnoy also reacted to the WNBA’s statement, calling the league’s actions a ‘mismanagement of PR’ and accusing the organization of creating a ‘racial war’ based on ‘angry tik toks’ from fans who were not even present at the game. His comments reflect broader concerns about the intersection of social media, public perception, and the responsibilities of sports organizations in managing reputational risks and addressing allegations of hate speech.