Dave Portnoy revealed what he shouted at Angel Reese through the WNBA conflict between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky.
The Barstool Sports activities founder quoted a pretend information report on X that was shared by notorious parody account NBA Centel, which claimed the league is ‘contemplating banning followers from booing to create a safer emotional setting for visiting gamers.’
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A screenshot of odds suggesting there’s a 53 % probability of the WNBA stopping followers from jeering gamers was additionally included within the put up.
The spoof ‘Centel’ account — a parody of the authentic ‘NBA Central’ web page — has greater than 620,000 followers on X.
It has gone viral in recent times for its pretend information headlines which are sometimes mistaken as details by high-profile figures in basketball.
Portnoy, who earlier this month lamented a visibly distraught Jayson Tatum, is the newest to fall sufferer of its pretend information, defending the feedback he made in direction of Reese through the Fever-Sky recreation.
“To make clear, I yelled ‘Ball Don’t Lie’ when Angel missed the tech,” he wrote, quoting the pretend information.
“WNBA desires to cuff and stuff me for it.”
Followers had been fast discover his error, with many stating on X that he had been ‘Centel’d’.
“It’s hilarious how many individuals fall for a parody deal with,” one fan responded.
“Centel is fairly good, however nonetheless a fairly dangerous look,” one other mentioned.
“Dave. This isn’t actual, this can be a troll web page buddy,” a 3rd wrote.
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Portnoy’s put up got here within the aftermath of a controversial season-opening recreation between the Fever and the Sky, which has seen the WNBA examine allegations of racist feedback geared toward Reese.
It’s unclear when the alleged incident occurred, however the Fever confirmed on Sunday that they’re ‘conscious of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct’ through the recreation, which Indiana received 93-58.
Tensions boiled over on the court docket within the third quarter, when Reese clashed with Caitlin Clark.
The incident unfolded when Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and Clark slapped her opponent’s arm onerous sufficient to jar the ball unfastened and knock Reese to ground.
When Reese acquired up, she tried to confront Clark earlier than Fever heart Aliyah Boston stepped in between the 2 stars.
Clark’s third private foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, whereas Boston and Reese every drew technicals following a replay evaluation by the referees.
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Whereas each gamers downplayed the incident, the WNBA mentioned it was investigating experiences of ‘hateful’ abuse directed in direction of Reese, who additionally made WNBA historical past throughout recreation.
“The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all kinds – they don’t have any place in our league or in society,” the league mentioned in a press release.
“We’re conscious of the allegations and are trying into the matter.”
The Fever and Sky will play 4 extra instances within the common season, with their subsequent recreation set for Saturday, June 7 in Chicago.