Engelbart wrote to the players, apologizing for the comments

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert promised players Friday that she and the league will show leadership in combating the derogatory rhetoric players experience on social media.

Engelbart also apologized to the players for an interview on CNBC on Monday in which he focused on the rivals' popularity but did not condemn the players' derogatory rhetoric.

“I was asked a question about the WNBA rivalry and the dark side of social media and race, and simply put, my answer missed the mark and I'm sorry,” Engelbart wrote to the players in a letter obtained by ESPN. “I regret that I did not express, in a clear and specific way, my condemnation of the hate speech that is often directed at WNBA players on social media.”

The letter, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was sent to all WNBA players. Engelbart also had conversations with some players, a league source told ESPN.

On CNBC's “Power Lunch” Monday, Engelbart was asked about the “more menacing” tone taken by some fan bases on social media, especially when race or sexuality is brought up. Engelbart instead focused on high-profile rookies Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky and how rivalries generate fan interest.

WNBA players reacted on social media and in interviews with frustration and disappointment that Engelbart did not directly speak out against the abusive language. Terri Jackson, executive director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, released a statement Tuesday saying Engelbart failed to condemn the “racism, misogyny and harassment” of players.

Jackson told ESPN that the players' association felt because the league didn't send a message to try to set the tone for fan behavior on social media, it was left up to the players alone to deal with it.

“And we find it unacceptable to encourage players to market this league and engage and/or post on social media to promote this league and then leave players vulnerable as they are,” Jackson said.

“We hoped the league would recognize the negative impact this is having on the players as well as its business and proactively address this situation early in the season. Maybe you can't control what's said or posted on social media, but you can send a message. That shows you're paying attention, that says racism, bigotry, hate is unacceptable and not welcome, that shows you stand in solidarity with the players.”

In Friday's letter, Engelbart promised that the league would always take it forward.

“I should have said directly and unequivocally that hate speech is harmful,” he wrote. “This is a teachable moment and one I humbly embrace. There is absolutely no place for racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of hatred in the WNBA or anywhere.

“I know many of you have been dealing with this for a long time. I want us as a league to do our part to change the often toxic and abusive nature of social media discussions.”

Jackson said that in the past, the WNBPA has worked with other professional players' associations on a project that studied targeted online abuse of elite athletes and ways to protect them as activists.

“Perhaps the WNBPA and WNBA, their corporate partners and other relevant stakeholders can come together and consider possible solutions and perhaps take the lead on this,” Jackson said.

Prior to this season, the WNBA held team awareness meetings with each franchise to provide players with information about the league's mental health platform and advise them on the mental wellness resources available to them, especially as the league has become more popular and larger in recent years. Interaction with fans.

For potential safety concerns for players from potentially abusive fans, all 12 teams have security personnel who are either team employees or contractors. The WNBA has security representatives in every market and at all games NBA Security is an available resource to investigate, research or coordinate with law enforcement regarding player safety concerns.

Engelbart said in his letter that he pledged the league would listen to players and work together to combat abusive speech and continue to provide mental health resources and guidance.

“Speaking up and taking action to address injustice is in the WNBA's DNA,” Engelbart wrote. “For our entire history, it's been at the core of what we all do.”