DiJonai Carrington demands 'second statement' from Cathy Engelbert after backlash about answer on racism 

Ahead of her game against the Los Angeles Sparks, DiJonai Carrington expressed her views on the recent controversial statements made by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The Connecticut Sun guard, speaking in a pre-game interview, demanded the release of a second statement, from the league.

"Sports (is) supposed to be where you put all those stuff to the side and just unite together," DiJonai Carrington said. "I hope that there is some type of second statement put out by the league."

The WNBA commissioner had stirred up controversy with the comments she made on the show 'Power Lunch'.

Engelbert talked about the rivalry between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and how it was beneficial for the league. However, she also compared the Reese-Clark rivalry to the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry, bringing in the Black-White dynamic in the competition between them.

The Connecticut Sun guard wasn't the only one who voiced her concern over the commissioner's statements.

Chicago Sky player Brianna Turner expressed her views on the matter as well. Turner made a post on X, criticizing the commissioner and promoting the idea that racism in sports should not be promoted in any form.

"I stand against all forms of discrimination, hatred, and bias, especially in reference to sports. The intersection of racism and sports should always be rejected. No platform is too big or too small to stand for the right thing. No excuses," Turner posted on X.

Some other players who voiced their concerns on Engelbert's comments were Michaela Onyenwere, Alysha Clark and Breanna Stewart.

What did Cathy Engelbert say to make DiJonai Carrington and other WNBA stars upset?

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert appeared on the show, 'Power Lunch', where the anchor, Tyler Mathisen, asked her about the harassment of players. The host also raised the subject of race which has been brought into the Clark-Reese rivalry.

Players like Chennedy Carter have had first-hand experience with fans who went beyond the acceptable norms of the behavior of spectators.

Instead of elaborately discussing the issues faced by the players, Engelbert focused more on the positive side of the Clark-Reese rivalry. She compared them to the Larry Bird-Magic Johnson rivalry and pointed to its benefits for the league.

"There's no more apathy. Everybody cares," Engelbert said. "It is a little of that Bird-Magic moment if you recall from 1979, when those two rookies came in from a big college rivalry, one white, one black. And so we have that moment with these two."

Engelbert affirmed that sports need rivalries and that is the driving factor behind great viewership. She remarked that the fans want 'games of consequence' and they don't want to see players be nice to each other.

However, bringing in race didn't go down well with most people in the basketball world. Also, her not addressing the issue of racist targeting of players like Reese was also seen as unfortunate. Only time will tell how and when the WNBA or Engelbert respond to the criticism.