Overview

• Michelle Obama addressed the WNBA’s Caitlin Clark–Angel Reese rivalry on the All the Smoke podcast, marking her first public comments on the feud.
• She criticized social media for keeping targeted hate in athletes’ pockets around the clock while requiring continued engagement for their careers.
• The WNBA’s May 17 investigation into alleged racist fan remarks during Indiana Fever’s 93-58 season opener with Chicago Sky found no substantiated evidence.
• Both Clark and Reese, whose rivalry began with a 2023 NCAA title celebration gesture, have downplayed the May flagrant foul incident as routine competition.
• Injuries have kept the stars from a rematch since then even as their rivalry drives record viewership and prompts league initiatives against fan misconduct.