On Wednesday, the Chicago Sky players faced a disturbing incident outside their hotel in Washington, D.C., one day before their game against the Washington Mystics. The altercation occurred just days after Chennedy Carter’s controversial hard foul on Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. A man, equipped with a camera, confronted the team and specifically sought out Carter.
Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca informed the Chicago Sun-Times that the man’s intentions appeared targeted towards Carter. The team’s security personnel acted swiftly to defuse the situation and escorted the individual away from the premises. They opted not to involve the police in the matter.
You talmbout him? pic.twitter.com/6AUvbZMYTX
— E.D.N. (@evildarkskinn) June 6, 2024
The incident garnered attention as several Sky players shared their experiences on social media. Angel Reese expressed her frustration, writing, “Finding out our team’s hotel to pull up with a camera as we get off the bus and put it in my teammate’s face & harass her is naughty work. This really is out of control and needs to stop.”
Isabelle Harrison recounted how the man approached the team before they could even disembark from their bus. “Getting harassed at our hotel is where the line needs to be drawn. Some ‘fans’ have NO CHILLLLL,” she remarked.
Michaela Onyenwere appreciated the security team’s efforts but highlighted the discomfort caused by the man’s behavior, saying, “Security did a great job protecting us, but it’s still extremely weird & crosses the boundaries, meeting us right when we get off the bus.”
Brianna Turner, though not present during the incident, voiced her concerns over the troubling trend of harassment players have been experiencing. “I didn’t realize that when we said ‘grow the game’ that would be interpreted as harassing players at hotels,” Turner commented. “You are free to have your own opinion, but consider if this happened to someone you know.”
Turner also noted the broader context of player safety, citing a recent increase in racial slurs and verbal abuse towards her and her teammates. “Yes, we (thankfully) travel with security, but the absurd headlines recently have certainly created an unstable environment for our safety. I’ve been called every racial slur imaginable lately, and my teammates have had it even worse.”
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of player harassment and the urgent need to address and safeguard the well-being of athletes both on and off the court.
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