DAVE PORTNOY CALLS OUT ANGEL REESE AND THE WNBA FOR LYING—What’s Behind the Drama Between the Media Mogul and Basketball Stars?

Dave Portnoy is making headlines after accusing Angel Reese and the WNBA of lying about a series of controversial claims. The outspoken founder of Barstool Sports didn’t hold back, calling out both the basketball star and the league for what he believes is misinformation. What exactly is Portnoy accusing them of, and what does this mean for the WNBA’s reputation?

Want to know what set off this fiery confrontation between Portnoy and the WNBA? Click below to discover all the shocking details that have everyone talking!👇👇

Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Angel Reese and the recent WNBA investigation into alleged racist comments made during a game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever. The situation has sparked a heated exchange, with Portnoy sharply criticizing both Reese and the WNBA for their handling of the situation. According to Portnoy, the claims of “hateful comments” directed at Reese are baseless, and he has openly dismissed them as “bullsh–t,” accusing the league of giving weight to what he calls an “internet rumor.”

The WNBA launched an investigation on Sunday following reports of racist comments allegedly made toward Reese during the game. The league quickly responded with a strong statement, emphasizing its commitment to condemning racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms. “We strongly condemn racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms,” the league’s statement said, making it clear that they were taking the allegations seriously and would investigate the incident.

However, Portnoy is not buying into the allegations. In a video posted after attending the game, Portnoy expressed disbelief over the accusations. He said, “I can’t believe I’m making this video,” setting the tone for his defense of the situation. Portnoy cast doubt on the validity of the claims, stating that he did not hear any racist remarks during the game. He even went as far as to suggest that internet trolls might be behind the story, stoking the controversy with false claims. According to Portnoy, the only “hate” he observed came from Reese herself after an altercation with Caitlin Clark, the Fever’s star player, who fouled Reese hard in the third quarter of the game. Portnoy explained that Clark’s foul, which was called a flagrant, was not malicious in nature, but Reese’s reaction was overblown.

Portnoy went on to say that if any racial comments had truly been made during the game, the individuals responsible should be removed from the arena permanently. However, he expressed skepticism, noting that no one in the stadium had witnessed such comments. “If there was somebody being racist or saying s—, obviously boot ’em. Never let them back,” Portnoy said. He pointed out that the crowd at the game was composed mostly of families, including little girls and women, who were there to enjoy a friendly sporting event. Portnoy argued that the crowd’s reaction to the game was typical of sports fandom, where players like Reese are booed for unsportsmanlike conduct, such as her aggressive actions toward Clark during the game.

Portnoy went further in his criticism of the WNBA and the Indiana Fever’s response to the allegations. He stated that the league’s decision to issue a statement acknowledging the hate and racism allegations, even without solid proof, was inappropriate. He believed that the WNBA was validating what he viewed as a false claim by investigating the matter. He stressed that there was no evidence—no video footage, no phone recordings—that supported the allegations. To Portnoy, the WNBA’s investigation seemed like an overreaction to an unsubstantiated rumor. “Unless something so preposterous happened that nobody in the stadium saw—there’s not an ounce of proof, there’s not a video of it, there’s not camera phone of it—unless something happened, which I know it didn’t,” he continued.

Portnoy’s remarks reflect a broader frustration with what he perceives as the WNBA’s readiness to address controversial issues, even when the evidence is lacking. He was particularly critical of the league’s decision to frame the issue as something that needed to be investigated, arguing that by doing so, the WNBA was implicitly accusing Indiana Fever fans of racism, despite the lack of concrete proof. He condemned the league for acknowledging the alleged hate while failing to recognize that the claims were likely fabricated. “For them to acknowledge this and, again, kind of paint Indiana Fever fans, like, by just saying ‘We’re investigating the hate,’ even though it’s 100% false, by acknowledging ‘We don’t condone hate,’ and not seeing that this was an internet rumor founded on complete bulls—, you’re lending credence to this,” Portnoy asserted.

This controversy began after a game between the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever, two teams with prominent players involved in a heated rivalry. Angel Reese, a standout player for the Chicago Sky, was reportedly the target of racist comments from fans at the game. The WNBA was quick to respond, issuing a statement condemning racism and vowing to investigate the matter. “The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms— they have no place in our league or in society,” the league said, signaling its intent to look into the allegations.

The tension between Reese and Caitlin Clark, the Rookie of the Year and star player for the Fever, has its roots in college basketball. Their rivalry dates back to the 2023 NCAA tournament, where Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes faced Reese’s LSU Tigers. The two players have long been seen as competitors, with their dynamic on the court often fueling media coverage of their rivalry. Reese, who was named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player, scored 12 points and grabbed 17 rebounds during the Fever’s 93-58 loss to the Chicago Sky in the game in question, while Clark posted an impressive triple-double. The intense competition between the two players contributed to the heightened emotions during the game, especially as Reese and Clark exchanged aggressive moves on the court.

As the game progressed, tensions reached their peak when Clark committed a flagrant foul against Reese. While Clark later explained that there was no malicious intent behind the foul, the incident sparked an emotional response from both players and their respective fans. Many spectators, including Portnoy, viewed the foul as an unfortunate but normal part of the game. However, some onlookers, including Reese herself, felt that the foul was an unnecessary and unsportsmanlike move, fueling the already tense atmosphere.

Portnoy’s comments added another layer to an already explosive situation, further polarizing opinions on the incident. He argued that the WNBA’s investigation into the alleged racism was unwarranted and damaging to the reputation of both the league and the Indiana Fever fans. To Portnoy, the issue wasn’t about racial animus but rather about sportsmanship, where players like Reese sometimes cross the line into unsportsmanlike behavior, which fans naturally react to. He made it clear that the real issue was not the alleged racist comments but the overly reactive stance taken by the WNBA in the absence of clear evidence.

The WNBA’s investigation into the alleged racial comments is just the latest chapter in a larger discussion about race, sexism, and sportsmanship in professional women’s basketball. While the league is committed to addressing all forms of discrimination and hate, it also faces criticism for how it handles such allegations, especially when they are not supported by clear evidence. As the investigation continues, fans, commentators, and players alike are left questioning how the WNBA will navigate these sensitive issues and what impact this controversy will have on the future of the league.

As for the Indiana Fever, the team now finds itself at the center of a media storm, with its fans and players caught in the crossfire of an ongoing debate about race and sportsmanship. With multiple games left to be played between the Chicago Sky and the Fever, this rivalry is far from over, and the ongoing tension between Reese and Clark promises to provide even more drama on the court. The WNBA will likely continue to feel the effects of this controversy, with all eyes on the investigation and the league’s response to the allegations. As this story unfolds, the questions surrounding racism, hate, and sportsmanship in women’s professional basketball will undoubtedly continue to dominate the conversation.