Among all the demands placed on Caitlin Clark over the past two years, this one stands out as the most urgent:

She must publicly denounce the racist and homophobic individuals pretending to support her, clearly stating that she does not accept or endorse their hateful behavior. They must choose: her or their hateful attitudes.

Clark did not seek this situation; all she wants is to play basketball. Yet, she isn’t alone—there are 143 other women in the WNBA who share this passion, and right now, some of Clark’s so-called fans are making it increasingly difficult.

For instance, someone sent DiJonai Carrington a horrific message filled with racial slurs and a terrifying wish that she would be assaulted. At a game, another individual taunted (mostly Black) players by wearing exaggerated fake nails while donning a T-shirt that read “Ban nails.” And then there are the people who’ve flooded Angel Reese’s family with fake, scandalous images.

Shall I go on?

Alyssa Thomas remarked after the Connecticut Sun ended Clark’s rookie season with a series sweep against Indiana, saying, “In my 11-year career, I’ve never encountered such racial comments from the Indiana Fever fans.”

Thomas added, expressing her dissatisfaction, “It’s unacceptable, genuinely, and there’s no place for it. We’ve handled everything professionally, but I’ve faced derogatory remarks on social media that are simply not tolerable. Basketball is progressing positively, but we don’t want fans who demean us and use racial slurs.”

And Clark shouldn’t want those individuals among her supporters, either.

Clark is arguably the most thrilling athlete across all sports these past two years, showcasing impressive logo three-pointers and mind-boggling passes that make spectators double-take. She has attracted numerous new fans to women’s basketball, many of whom have developed a broader love for the sport and players like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart because of her.

However, there are some whose lack of understanding is spoiling the experience for everyone.

Some fans simply lack knowledge about the game or the WNBA’s history and are frustrated that the league doesn’t revolve around Clark. They complain about the physicality and hard fouls that have always been part of the WNBA, ignoring the fact that Clark understands this aspect and is more than capable of matching that intensity.

These fans are annoying, provoking eye rolls and exasperated sighs; they’re largely harmless.

But it’s a different story for the “fans” who exploit their support for Clark as an excuse for their biases, throwing racial slurs at Black players and perpetuating harmful stereotypes surrounding Black athletes. They justify their derogatory behavior by claiming that Clark needs protection and admiration—an entitlement that society has historically extended to white women while neglecting the rights of Black individuals.

“The reality is that Clark stands out in this sport dominated by Black women, and her success matters to specific people,” said Moya Bailey, a professor at Northwestern University who introduced the term “misogynoir” to discuss the prejudice faced by Black women.

“There’s a distinctive perception of Black women compared to other women of color, and it’s a discussion we need to engage in,” Bailey noted. “Misogynoir serves as a tool for certain individuals who are increasingly finding reasons to apply it.”

The WNBA itself bears some responsibility for this situation. The toxicity among fans became apparent early in the season, intensified by the distorted rivalry between Clark and Reese. The commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, remained notably silent when asked about it during a CNBC appearance earlier this month, instead discussing rivalries and marketing strategies.

Recently, the WNBA did issue a robust statement, stating it is monitoring threats against players and will engage law enforcement if needed.

“While we welcome our expanding fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments directed at players, teams, or anyone linked with the league,” the statement emphasized.

Unfortunately, this response came four months too late. With Clark out of the playoffs and away from the spotlight, the toxic segment of her fanbase is likely to retreat into obscurity, only to reemerge next spring. We can only hope for that.

However, this issue cannot be allowed to continue unchecked, which is why Clark urgently needs to take a stand. Now.

It may not seem fair to place this burden on Clark, who has not incited this behavior at all. Yet the strain that the Black women in the league have been enduring for months is equally unfair, and Clark is in a unique position to help eliminate the hate. At the very least, she must try.

Clark has dazzled fans over the last two years, consistently meeting challenges head-on and demonstrating a remarkable ability to make the right choices. She needs to do that once more—this time, beyond the court.