Written by Alberta L. Parish
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| Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever Forward |
On Monday, it was reported by Athlon Sports that Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston deleted her social media due to criticism and scrutiny by Indiana Fever fans for the team's 0-3 record. "They're definitely feeling this early attention on them," according to the team when talking about their 0-3 start.
The team's 36 nationally televised games have certainly put the national spotlight on this franchise with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the no. 1 overall WNBA draft pick in 2024. Although the team has struggled in their first three games, they all fought in Monday night's matchup against Connecticut only falling short by 4 points. Aliyah finished the night with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The added move by the WNBA to nationally televise 36 Fever games has brought new eyes to the league, as Clark's popularity has certainly grown women's basketball, and with that came millions of new fans who can enjoy all 12 WNBA teams.
Boston was selected as the no. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft, and was named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and AP Rookie of the Year. She also made her first appearance in the 2023 WNBA All-Star game.
The media has not only shone a spotlight on the pressures that athletes often face, but it has also exposed the racial undertones present in sports media reporting.
In the past couple weeks, I can't help but notice there's been a couple of scathing reports on social media regarding the "new" fans whom many in sports media and also the WNBA community refer to as Caitlin Clark/Iowa fans. After visiting Iowa City earlier this year to watch Iowa vs. Michigan at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, I met many Clark/Hawkeye fans who enjoy reading my tweets and blogs. I also met Colin Clark, Caitlin's brother. Iowa fans really love and support women's basketball, and they're very protective of players.
Late Monday, it was brought to my attention by a Caitlin Clark/IowaWBB/Fever fan that there are organized groups who troll the Internet simply to create chaos and dissension, and they seize on every opportunity. He also informed me that his primary work for years was national security. He wrote me saying, "I'm retired now but I know how these anti-western disinformation groups work. They don't attack only the obvious targets. They create chaos and dissension any way they can." He also wrote, "I'm not convinced the perpetrators were actually Iowa fans" when responding to my tweet that I'd posted regarding Aliyah Boston deleting her social media due to scrutiny and criticism received from Clark/Fever fans.
On May 13th, I wrote an article in response to A'ja Wilson's comments made to the Associated Press when she claimed that Caitlin Clark's popularity was due to Clark's race. At that time, Wilson's comments struck me as an indictment against Clark's fanbase, as the Associated Press piece came across to many fans and supporters as an accusation against Clark's fanbase for only supporting the superstar because she's white.
Seeing the writing on the wall a couple weeks ago already alarmed me to the fact that not only some WNBA players and coaches had a problem with Clark/Iowa fans whom they call the "new fans" that are driving fan attendance, ratings, and viewership due to Caitlin Clark, but there is also that element on social media who has been harassing Clark's fans, and painting Clark/Hawkeye fans with a broad brush.
Although many Clark/Iowa Hawkeye fans and supporters have become recent Indiana Fever fans, we're not new to the game of basketball. Many Clark/Iowa fans are also longtime NBA fans. Iowa loves and supports women's basketball. It is Clark/Iowa fans who will be the ones showing up at Indiana Fever games this summer! It is Clark/Iowa fans who will be driving the ratings and viewership. The media making unprovable accusations against Clark/Fever fans while showing on LIVE television on Monday footage of Clark/Iowa/Fever fans wearing #22 Clark "Fever" shirts and jerseys who showed up at a game to enjoy watching their favorite player and team is a huge PR problem for the league. If Caitlin Clark continues bringing new sets of eyes to the WNBA, set record numbers in game attendance, and break previously-held records in television ratings and viewership, then surely WNBA players and coaches can make the effort to bridge the gap between themselves and the "new" fans. Win or lose, Clark/Iowa fans are the most dedicated fans.
If any Clark/Fever fan is truly guilty of online harassment and bullying of Aliyah Boston, then he or she should be condemned for such despicable behavior! However, all Clark/Iowa/Fever fans should not be painted with a broad brush because this Clark/Iowa/Fever fan supports Aliyah Boston.
The End
Work Cited
Phelps, C., Aliyah Boston Reveals Heartbreaking News Regarding Caitlin Clark, Fever Fans, 20 May 2024, Athlon Sports.
Retrieved from https://athlonsports.com/wnba/aliyah-boston-heartbreaking-news-caitlin-clark-fever-wnba-fans
