WNBA faces discipline dilemma after Carrington’s ‘White privilege’ post targeting Indiana Fever

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham on Saturday afternoon.

Then Carrington presumably went to the locker room and fired off a strong accusation.

A post on Carrington’s Threads account shortly after her ejection read: “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever.”

Whoa.

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Following an ejection, a player went to the locker room and made an apparent race-based accusation. It’s hard to imagine that happening in another major professional sports league without a harsh punishment from the league.

The Fever went on to beat the Sky, 90-86, but that seemed like a secondary story at best.

Carrington was tossed late in the first quarter after striking Cunningham across the head while the Fever guard attempted a layup. Officials reviewed the play and upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 2, which carries an automatic ejection. Cunningham had to be restrained following the play and appeared to show her teammates that her mouth was bleeding.

The timing of Carrington’s post certainly appeared to suggest that she believed race, or “white privilege,” played some role in what happened.

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While Carrington didn’t specifically write, “The referees are racist,” it’s hard to find an alternative interpretation. Unless, since she tagged the Indiana Fever, she thinks the Fever organization is racist.

Either way, the WNBA finds itself in a terrible spot.

Either the league has to impose a harsh punishment on Carrington, which potentially angers other players in the WNBA and certain corners of the sports media, or it does nothing and risks reinforcing the perception that different racial standards apply, despite Commissioner Cathy Engelbert recently telling Congress that the league applies its rules and disciplinary processes consistently across all games and all players.

Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington arrives at Wintrust Arena before a WNBA game. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

OutKick contacted the WNBA, the WNBA Players’ Association and the Chicago Sky shortly after Carrington’s post.

The league was asked whether it interpreted the message as an allegation that race or racial bias played a role in Carrington’s ejection, whether it had spoken with Carrington about the post and whether it was reviewing the matter for potential discipline.

The Sky were similarly asked what Carrington meant, whether she was alleging racial bias in the officiating decision and whether the organization stood by her characterization.

OutKick also contacted the WNBPA, asking whether the union believes race or racial bias played a role in Carrington’s ejection, whether it has evidence of racial disparities in WNBA officiating and whether it stands by Carrington’s “WHITE PRIVILEGE” characterization.

None of the organizations responded prior to publication.

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Complaints about officiating are part of professional sports. Players think they get fouled too much, coaches think opponents get favorable whistles, and fans are convinced every referee has a bet on their favorite team’s opponent.

But claiming “white privilege” immediately after an officiating decision is different. It introduces the idea that officials aren’t simply making good or bad basketball calls, but that race might influence how those calls are made.

If that’s what Carrington meant, she should say it clearly and explain what evidence she has.

If that’s not what she meant, that’s pretty easy to clear up, too.

And there’s another important piece of context in this specific incident.

Sophie Cunningham has become one of the WNBA’s most polarizing players after publicly stating that she doesn’t believe biological men should compete in women’s sports. Her position has generated rallies at Fever games, subsequent counter-protests and open disagreement from others inside the WNBA, including the players’ association.

So, it’s entirely possible Carrington’s message was aimed at something broader than the officiating.

Again, that’s why clarification matters.

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham fights with Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington after being Carrington fouled Cunningham with a hit to the Fever guard’s head. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

The WNBA can’t spend years embracing players speaking publicly about politics, race, gender and social issues, then treat a player’s “WHITE PRIVILEGE” accusation as something that doesn’t deserve a suspension.

And the WNBPA has a problem, too. On Friday, the union said “hate, abuse, and demonization of any person or group of people, including transgender people” fuels “fear, division, and harm.”

Well, if “any person or group” actually means any person or group, then the union can’t carve out an exception when one of its own players invokes “WHITE PRIVILEGE” against another team.

Carrington not only posted that accusation publicly, but she did it during a game and presumably from inside a WNBA locker room. She tagged another WNBA franchise.

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The league, the players’ association and the Sky were given an opportunity to explain what she meant or, at minimum, say whether they asked her.

They haven’t yet.

For now, Carrington’s two-word accusation is left to speak for itself.