In a stunning escalation of tensions gripping women’s basketball, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has slapped TIME Magazine with a $50 million defamation lawsuit, accusing the storied publication of weaponizing its platform to stoke racial hatred and incite violence against Black players.
The complaint, filed in federal court Thursday, centers on TIME’s December 9 feature crowning Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson as Athlete of the Year. While celebrating Wilson’s fourth MVP and third championship, the article ignited fury by repeatedly invoking Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark’s rise, framing it as a “toxic, racially divisive narrative” that allegedly erodes the league’s Black-led legacy. Critics within the WNBA argue the piece perpetuates a false dichotomy: Clark as the white savior single-handedly “salvaging” a struggling league built by trailblazers like Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie.
“This isn’t journalism; it’s a blueprint for bigotry,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert declared in a blistering statement. “TIME’s selective storytelling has amplified death threats, racist slurs, and doxxing against our stars. We’ve seen players like DiJonai Carrington stalked and Brittney Griner taunted with slurs at arenas. Enough.”
The suit details a surge in fan vitriol post-publication, including AI-generated deepfakes and calls for violence on social media. Engelbert cited a 300% spike in hate reports since Clark’s 2024 debut, blaming media like TIME for fanning flames. Wilson’s interview in the piece lamented how the league’s “history was erased for a minute” amid Clark’s popularity, a sentiment she tied to racial double standards in a prior TIME chat. Yet the article’s phrasing—labeling Clark’s emergence as divisive—drew backlash for implying intra-league resentment, which players like Alyssa Thomas have decried as fueling misogynoir.
WNBA insiders point to a pattern: Clark’s Fever-Sky rivalry games drew record 2.7 million viewers but also unprecedented abuse. “We’re thrilled for new fans,” said Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, “but not if it comes with nooses in our inboxes.” The league’s “No Space for Hate” policy, banning racist conduct, has led to over 200 ejections this season.
TIME editors defended the story as “nuanced reporting on a pivotal moment,” denying intent to incite. “Our goal was to honor Wilson’s vindication amid complex dynamics,” a spokesperson said. Legal experts predict a protracted battle, with discovery exposing internal emails on the Clark-Wilson angle.
As the WNBA eyes a $2.2 billion media deal, this suit underscores a darker undercurrent: growth shadowed by division. Players rally behind Wilson, whose Thanos-inspired parade gauntlet symbolized her dominance. “We built this house,” she posted on X. “Don’t burn it down.”
For Black athletes long marginalized, the message is clear: Spotlight yes, but spotlight without sabotage. The court date looms, but the real game? Unity over outrage.
