WNBA and players' union commit to stronger online security

WNBA leadership and the players' union have agreed to strengthen security measures and improve communication following a meeting to address a surge of racist, threatening, and abusive messages directed at athletes. The virtual meeting, held on Tuesday, July -21, 2026, at the union's request, brought together Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the WNBPA's executive committee, and its Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, along with the league's head of security.

The discussion focused on concrete steps to better protect players from online harassment, which has intensified alongside the league's record-breaking growth in popularity. According to participants, Engelbert acknowledged shortcomings in proactive communication and the league's response time to incidents. The meeting resulted in a joint statement released on Wednesday, July -22, in which both parties committed to enhancing security resources and exploring new partnerships to advance player safety.

The urgency for the meeting was driven by several high-profile incidents in recent weeks. Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray publicly shared a direct message containing a racial slur, leading to the identification and...