Senator Jim Banks calls on the WNBA and Indiana Fever to apologize to fans after a league probe found no evidence supporting claims of racial abuse during a game involving Angel Reese.

Investigation Clears Fans After May 17 Game

U.S. Senator Jim Banks of Indiana has called on the WNBA and the Indiana Fever to publicly apologize to Fever fans after an internal league investigation found no substantiation of racial comments allegedly directed at Chicago Sky player Angel Reese. The allegations emerged following a May 17 game hosted by the Fever.

“Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated [the report],” the WNBA said in a statement. The league added that it remains committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment and will continue to enforce its fan code of conduct.

Despite the WNBA's official statement, Sen. Banks expressed frustration that the Fever and the league had not issued a direct apology to fans. He spoke out during an interview on the program Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, stating, “(Reese) accused the Indiana Fever fan base of being racists. They investigated it. They said those accusations were false. The least that she could do is apologize to our great state and the fans that show up at these games.”

Banks questioned the silence from key stakeholders. “Where is Caitlin Clark? Where is the Indiana Fever? Where is the WNBA saying that… the allegations were false? Where’s the apology? It’s disappointing,” he said, adding that such accusations are “so demeaning to our state and to the fan base.”

WNBA’s Anti-Hate Efforts Under Scrutiny

It remains unclear whether Reese formally alerted the WNBA to the alleged comments. Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh said he learned of the allegations “when everyone else did.” In past remarks, Reese has stated that she has experienced racist treatment from both Fever and Iowa fans, but specifics regarding this incident were not publicly disclosed by her.

Sen. Banks argued that the absence of evidence demanded a formal retraction. “Those are awful accusations. They weren’t true… That’s the kind of garbage that gets thrown around all the time,” he said.

The WNBA had introduced a league-wide initiative before the 2025 season called No Space for Hate, aimed at combating hate and promoting respect in all WNBA environments. The program includes messaging campaigns and AI-based monitoring of online activity. However, Banks’ remarks suggest concern that the initiative could amplify unproven claims without due diligence.

Neither the Indiana Fever nor Angel Reese has issued a direct statement addressing Banks’ comments or the outcome of the investigation. The league has not indicated whether it will consider any further actions.